Chaska (USA), June 29 (IANS) Haeran Ryu shot a final-round, 2-under-par 70 to win the Women’s PGA Championship and her first Major Championship title.

With her win, the South Korean Ryu also became just the seventh player since 1990 to win in each of her first four seasons on the LPGA Tour. She joined Karrie Webb (9 years), Grace Park (5), Yani Tseng (5), Brooke Henderson (5), Sei Young Kim (6), and Jin Young Ko (6).

“Feels like dreams come true right now because I tried the couple times on the major champion but I don’t get it; today I did it, so I’m so happy right now,” said Ryu. “Just a little bit short offseason during the season, but I just work hard with my coach still in Korea and it works this week, so I just thankful my coach and everybody.”

Ina Yoon, who held the lead after both 18 holes and 36 holes, closed with a 2-under-par 70 to finish in solo second, while Henderson, who was looking to win a Women’s PGA Championship 10 years after her maiden Major title at Sahalee, shot a final-round, even-par 72 anf finished tied for third with Dewi Weber.

Nelly Korda, who was the 11th player in women’s Major Championship history to win each of the first two Major Championships of a calendar year, closed with a 73. The only players to win each of the first three Majors in a calendar year are Inbee Park (2013) and Babe Zaharias (1950).

It was a historic comeback for Ryu (73, 1-over-par), who trailed then-leader Ina Yoon (63, 9-under-par) by 10 strokes at the conclusion of the opening round. It’s the largest opening-round deficit ever overcome to win the Women’s PGA Championship.

The last player to overcome an opening-round deficit of at least 10 strokes to win any Major Championship was Carol Mann at the 1964 Women’s Western Open. Mann shot 83 in the first round, which was 10 shots back of Round 1 leader Ruth Jessen (73) at Scenic Hills Country Club in Pensacola, Florida.

–IANS

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