Kiss the trophy
Plagued by delays and inclement weather, the US Women’s Open wrapped up on Monday afternoon in Colorado Springs. Finally.
So Yeon Ryu defeated fellow South Korean rival Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole playoff to capture the major championship. Ryu had three holes in regulation left to play and needed to birdie one of them to force a playoff. She rolled in a six-fotter for birdie on the 18th, and then started the playoff just a half-hour later. The day was even more special for Ryo, with her hero, Se Ri Pak, the Queen of South Korean golf, watching her on the course. Via the AP:
Ryu became the fifth South Korean to win the Open and the fourth in the last seven years. Yes, they take their golf seriously there and Se Ri Pak — the queen of the sport in that country — was out on the course watching the 21-year-old Ryu make history.
“I’m proud of it,” Ryu said. “To see my hero, Se Ri Pak, out there fighting for me. It’s pretty powerful, yeah.”
Who the heck is So Yeon Ryu? Good question. I hadn’t even heard of her. I’d already introduced Hee Kyung Seo in a “Know Your Asians” post last year, so I’m somehwat familiar with the player whose nickname is “Supermodel of the Fairways.” But this last week was the first I’d heard of Ryu (I’d chalk it up to my ignorance, but I am familiar with most Koreans on the LPGA and Ryu plays on the KLPGA).
Well, let’s try to get to know Ryu a little better, with information from the experts at Seoul Sisters.
*Ryu plays primarily on the KLPGA, with her rookie year being 2008.
*Her best LPGA finish was T12 at the 2010 Hana Bank Kolon Championship.
*Her previous best LPGA major finish was T25 at last year’s US Women’s Open.
*She doesn’t have LPGA status, but I have a feeling we might be seeing more of her next season or even this year.
*Apparently she speaks English very well!
*She has a rivalry with Seo that dates back to 2009, according to Seoul Sisters:
The start of the KLPGA season was dominated by Hee Kyung Seo, who won the first Major of the year. But Ryu kicked her season into high gear at the Doosan Match Play Championship. She gradually worked her way through the field, winning three sudden death playoffs on the way to the finals. Once there, she faced her arch rival He Yong Choi in a match for the ages. Tied after 18 holes, they played 9 more sudden death holes before Ryu finally captured the win…
The win sparked Ryu to brilliant heights. Just two events later, she won again, then racked up two more straight wins to become one of the few in KLPGA history to score three straight victories. She took over the money list and Player of the Year lead from Seo, and the two would spend much of the rest of the year duking it out for those titles. Seo finally secured the title when Ryu lost a playoff at the penultimate event of the year. But Ryu still made nearly 600 million won and finished second on the money list, second in Player of the Year points and third in scoring average. Without any question, in 2009 Ryu established herself as a bonified superstar.
In December, Ryu and Seo clashed again at the China Ladies Open, the first event of the 2010 season. Seo led going into the final round, but Ryu caught her and forced a playoff, winning after three holes. Amazingly, it was Ryu’s last win on the KLPGA tour that season.
*Ryu entered the week ranked No. 40 in the Rolex world rankings.
*She received a spot in this year’s US Women’s Open because she finished top-five in the money list on the KLPGA in 2010.
*At the 2009 KLPGA Awards Show, Ryu was one of five stars who performed a dance number. Here’s a picture (for more, go here):
Ryu = first on the left; Seo = third from the left
Random Asian-ness Scale (1-10, 1: Michelle Wie, totally Americanized; 5: Se Ri Pak, somewhat assimilated; 10: Eun-Hee Ji, 한국말): Ryu = 6.5
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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It’s finally back!
I enjoyed this tournament, and both Ryu and Seo. I saw the playoff this morning, and managed to squeeze a bit of watching in during the weekend (would’ve done more if the weather didn’t change the schedule). But yea, I was impressed by both of them, it was a good week.
Such an unfair victory, if there was 1 more hour of daylight last night, Seo would’ve been the champ. Thanks to the USGA for making her rush up to the green on 17 to close the gap, resulting in her only 3 putt all week, girl play flawless in 3rd and 4th rnds. What’s the rush, not all play was going to get in anyways?! I feel bad for Seo.
I think Seo is kinda hot.
Hats off to all the asian players, but come on ladies, I thought this was the US LPGA. Get the lead out of your a– win something!
Seo’s nickname is fitting. She is a hottie
Interestingly, the recent Korean winners have hardly done much since winning the US Open.
And this year’s winner = Sum Yung Korean.
Where are all the Korean men on the PGA Tour? Outside of KJ who has been on tour since 1999, there is only Y.E. Yang. Is the required military commitment the major reason why the numbers are lopsided? Is golf viewed as more of a girly sport in Korea?
Very clever, MW!
Andrew,
From what I understand, Jiyai Shin, Seo’s playing partner on Sunday was the reason for the running and rushing. Since Shin was out of contention, she wanted to finish to avoid having to miss her Monday morning flight to play a meaningless hole. It sounded like Seo wasn’t real happy with the rush but didn’t protest the tactic.
^^^^ From what I heard during the broadcast, they ran because they were told to pick up the pace because they haven’t teed off while the previous group had already putted out on the par 5 17.
@Cappy-Jack: Since no one’s answered your question, I’m going to ask it again. Is compulsory military service the main reason for world-class male golfers from Korea, or is the sport simply more popular among women there? Or some yet-to-be-posed third explanation?
also @Cappy, technically that’s not true about it being only KJ and Yang. Charlie Wi, despite his Anglo first name, plays for Korea. Also two young rookies with full membership this year, Kang Sung-hoon and Kim Bi-o, neither of whom have been lighting it up.
I agree with Cappy and Jay, that is an interesting point and question. Se Ri Pak was won so much, and that must’ve inspired the ladies. Choi and Yang are successful but not necessarily HUGE golfers like Pak was, so maybe that’s one reason?
Or maybe the Choi/Yang influence is just starting to show up now (ie., Kang and Kim). Pak did have a few years on Choi/Yang.
I think you missed a key bit of info on Ryu: she attends university in Korea while playing on the KLPGA.
I think a major reason there are more Korean females than males are on professional tours (LPGA / PGA) is because of options. While the med do have compulsory military service commitments, there are more professional sports opportunities for the guys to play at the highest level such as professional baseball and soccer. For the ladies, not so much.
Interesting comments… I agree as well that I’d love to see some US girls and ladies winning on the LPGA but these Asian girls are hot and they can play. Not to mention very calm on the course, never got frustrated after poor shots. I wish I could stay that calm under the pressure. We have some great young talent coming up right now. Here’s to hoping that they won’t let the $’s distract them like Michelle Wie did.
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