Hae-Ran Ryu came out on top in a play-off against fellow South Korean Jin-Young Ko to claim a second LPGA Tour triumph of her career at the FM Championship in Massachusetts.
The 23-year-old, whose only previous victory on the LPGA Tour came at the 2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, recovered from what looked like a disastrous third round which saw Ryu surrender a six-shot lead after she hit a six-over 78.
The 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year entered the final round four shots off leader Ko but carded an eight-under 64 to end on 15 under set up a play-off with Ko who ended the tournament on the same score despite having the opportunity to win in normal play by missing an eight-foot birdie putt.
The winner was determined on the first playoff hole, where Ryu secured another LPGA Tour victory with a par after Ko made a bogey.
“I was so nervous at the play-off.” Ryu said after sealing victory. “But maybe Jin Young Ko is the same as me. I can’t believe it here now.
“My caddie and my other teammates said to me [on Saturday], ‘just for today it’s bad and tomorrow it all comes through. Just trust yourself’.
“I’m really happy because the first win is so hard but the second is hard again.”
Following her play-off defeat, two-time major winner Ko said: I played really, really good this week. Unfortunately, the last shot wasn’t good and I lost. But overall, I played really solid.”
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour, following the Solheim Cup, is the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G taking place between 19-22 September at TPC River’s Bend in Ohio.