So Yeon Ryu announced earlier this year that the 2024 Chevron Championship would be her final tournament before she heads off to retirement.
Ryu, now 33, won the 2011 Women’s Open at The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in a three-hole aggregate playoff over fellow South Korean Hee Hyung Seo and joined the LPGA the following season.
She notched six top-five finishes at the U.S. Women’s Open from 2011 to 2019, taking a share of second in ’19 at the Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.
Her second major title came at the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills in extra holes against Lexi Thompson after the American star received a controversial four-stroke penalty on Sunday. Ryu was gracious in victory despite the crowd’s overwhelming support of Thompson.
After turning professional at the age of 17, Ryu won six times on the LPGA and 10 times on the Korean LPGA, her most recent victory coming at the 2020 Korea Women’s Open. She’s also a past champion of the Japan Women’s Open.
The 2012 LPGA Rookie of the Year, Ryu earned LPGA Player of the Year honors in 2017. She was ranked No. 1 in the world for 19 weeks from June to November 2017.
Here’s a look at the graceful and talented superstar through the years:
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So Yeon Ryu during the 2014 Wegmans LPGA Championship
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Inbee Park Ricoh Women’s British Open – Previews
Inbee Park (left) and So Yeon Ryu at the Old Course at St Andrews in 2013.…
Inbee Park (left) and So Yeon Ryu at the Old Course at St Andrews in 2013. (Getty Images)
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So Yeon Ryu at the 2014 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, where she held the 36-hole lead.
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Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic – Round One
So Yeon Ryu waits to putt on the fifth hole during round one of the Swinging…
So Yeon Ryu waits to putt on the fifth hole during round one of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic at Lake Merced Golf Club.
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Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic – Round Two
So Yeon Ryu watches her tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of…
So Yeon Ryu watches her tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of the Yokohama Tire Classic.
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Kingsmill – Round Two
So Yeon Ryu hits her tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of…
So Yeon Ryu hits her tee shot on the fifth hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship.
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So Yeon Ryu wins the LPGA’s 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and is sprayed with champagne…
So Yeon Ryu wins the LPGA’s 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and is sprayed with champagne by fellow South Korean Inbee Park.
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Inbee Park is met by So Yeon Ryu and a spray of champagne after wrapping up…
Inbee Park is met by So Yeon Ryu and a spray of champagne after wrapping up a win at the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open.
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So Yeon Ryu during the second round of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack in…
So Yeon Ryu during the second round of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack in Southampton, N.Y.
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So Yeon Ryu waves to the crowd at No. 18 during the final round of the…
So Yeon Ryu waves to the crowd at No. 18 during the final round of the CME Group Titleholders at Twin Eagles Club.
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So Yeon Ryu during the Women’s Australian Open.
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So Yeon Ryu at the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open
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CME Group Tour Championship – Round Three
So Yeon Ryu, FILA
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So Yeon Ryu CME Group Tour Championship – Round Three
So Yeon Ryu (right) takes part in a selfie at the CME Group Tour Championship.
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ANA Inspiration – Final Round
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 2: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea makes a tee shot…
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 2: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea makes a tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2017 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
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LPGA: ANA Inspiration – Final Round
April 2, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; So Yeon Ryu jumps into Poppie’s pond following her…
April 2, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; So Yeon Ryu jumps into Poppie’s pond following her victory during the final round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills CC – Dinah Shore Tournament Cou. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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LPGA: ANA Inspiration – Final Round
April 2, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; So Yeon Ryu jumps into Poppie’s pond following her…
April 2, 2017; Rancho Mirage, CA, USA; So Yeon Ryu jumps into Poppie’s pond following her victory during the final round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills CC – Dinah Shore Tournament Cou. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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ANA Inspiration – Final Round
Lexi Thompson (L) walks off the 18th green, as So Yeon Ryu of the Republic of…
Lexi Thompson (L) walks off the 18th green, as So Yeon Ryu of the Republic of Korea celebrates with her caddie after Ryu defeated Thompson in a playoff during the final round of the ANA Inspiration at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2017 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G – Final Round
ROGERS, AR – JUNE 25: So Yeon Ryu of Korea celebrates after winning the Walmart NW…
ROGERS, AR – JUNE 25: So Yeon Ryu of Korea celebrates after winning the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G on June 25, 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G – Round Two
ROGERS, AR – JUNE 24: So Yeon Ryu of Korea walks off the green on the…
ROGERS, AR – JUNE 24: So Yeon Ryu of Korea walks off the green on the first hole after a birdie during the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G on June 24, 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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HSBC Women’s Champions – Previews
SINGAPORE – FEBRUARY 28: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea and Inbee Park of South Korea…
SINGAPORE – FEBRUARY 28: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea and Inbee Park of South Korea walk together on the fifth hole during practice for HSBC Women’s Champions on the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club on February 28, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images,)
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Meijer LPGA Classic – Final Round
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – JUNE 17: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea reacts after winning the…
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – JUNE 17: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea reacts after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club on June 17, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – Round Two
KILDEER, IL – JUNE 29: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea plays a bunker shot on…
KILDEER, IL – JUNE 29: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea plays a bunker shot on the first hole during the second round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes Golf Club on June 29, 2018 in Kildeer, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for KPMG)
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LPGA: KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – Final Round
July 1, 2018; Kildeer, IL, USA; So Yeon Ryu (left) hugs Sung Hyun Park (right) after…
July 1, 2018; Kildeer, IL, USA; So Yeon Ryu (left) hugs Sung Hyun Park (right) after the second playoff hole during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
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2019 U.S. Women’s Open
Jeongeun Lee6 is sprayed with champagne by So Yeon Ryu after winning the U.S. Women’s Open…
Jeongeun Lee6 is sprayed with champagne by So Yeon Ryu after winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Country Club of Charleston. (Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sport)s
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CME Group Tour Championship – Round One
So Yeon Ryu of Korea talks with her caddie on the second hole during the first…
So Yeon Ryu of Korea talks with her caddie on the second hole during the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 21, 2019 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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CME Group Tour Championship – Round One
Mi Hyang Lee of Korea celebrates with So Yeon Ryu of Korea after making eagle on…
Mi Hyang Lee of Korea celebrates with So Yeon Ryu of Korea after making eagle on on the 18th hole during the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 21, 2019 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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CME Group Tour Championship – Round Two
So Yeon Ryu reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the second round of…
So Yeon Ryu reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 22, 2019 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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2011 U.S. Women’s Open
So Yeon Ryu (center) of Korea is congratuled by Jin Young Pak (left) of Korea and…
So Yeon Ryu (center) of Korea is congratuled by Jin Young Pak (left) of Korea and Se Ri Pak (right) of Korea after Ryu won the U.S. Women’s Open in a playoff at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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KIA Motors Korea Women’s Open – Final Round
So Yeon Ryu celebrates winning the tournament following the final round of the KIA Motors Korea…
So Yeon Ryu celebrates winning the tournament following the final round of the KIA Motors Korea Women’s Open at the Bears Best CheongNa on June 21, 2020 in Incheon, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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2020 U.S. Women’s Open
So Yeon Ryu during a practice round ahead of the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at Champions…
So Yeon Ryu during a practice round ahead of the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston.. (Photo: Robert Beck/USGA)
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2021 U.S. Women’s Open
So Yeon Ryu hits her tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round at…
So Yeon Ryu hits her tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
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ANA Inspiration – Final Round
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 02: Lexi Thompson (L) walks off the 18th green, as So…
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 02: Lexi Thompson (L) walks off the 18th green, as So Yeon Ryu of the Republic of Korea celebrates with her caddie after Ryu defeated Thompson in a playoff during the final round of the ANA Inspiration at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2017 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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2022 Amundi Evian Championship
Yeon Ryu of South Korea lines up a putt on the 1st hole on day two…
Yeon Ryu of South Korea lines up a putt on the 1st hole on day two of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 22, 2022 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
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Simone Asia Pacific Cup – Day Three
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 20: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea hits her tee shot on…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 20: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea hits her tee shot on the 3rd hole during day three of the Simone Asia Pacific Cup at Pondok Indah Golf Course on August 20, 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
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BMW Ladies Championship – Final Round
WONJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 23: (R-L) Inbee Park of South Korea, So-yeon Ryu of South…
WONJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 23: (R-L) Inbee Park of South Korea, So-yeon Ryu of South Korea and former player Ha-neul Kim of South Korea hold a banner to appreciate Na-yeon Choi (not pictured) who is retiring near the 9th green during the final round of the BMW Ladies Championship at Oak Valley Country Club on October 23, 2022 in Wonju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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BMW Ladies Championship – Final Round
WONJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 23: Na-yeon Choi (2nd R) of South Korea watches her career…
WONJU, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 23: Na-yeon Choi (2nd R) of South Korea watches her career highlight video with Inbee Park (2nd L) of South Korea, So-yeon Ryu (1st R) of South Korea, former player Ha-neul Kim (3nr L) of South Korea, Danielle Kang (1st L) of the United States after holing out during the final round of the BMW Ladies Championship at Oak Valley Country Club on October 23, 2022 in Wonju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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UL International Crown – Day 4
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 07: Lexi Thompson of the United States hits a tee shot…
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 07: Lexi Thompson of the United States hits a tee shot while So Yeon Ryu of South Korea watches on the 9th hole during the Singles match on day four of the UL International Crown at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club on October 7, 2018 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
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2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open
So Yeon Ryu and amateur golfer Brooke Henderson pose with their trophies after the final round…
So Yeon Ryu and amateur golfer Brooke Henderson pose with their trophies after the final round of the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ontario. (Photo: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
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LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship – Press Conference
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 11: (L to R) Minjee Lee of Australia, Hee-Young Park, Se-Ri…
INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 11: (L to R) Minjee Lee of Australia, Hee-Young Park, Se-Ri Pak, MJ Hur and So-Yeon Ryu of South Korea pose during the photo call ahead of the LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship on October 11, 2016 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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U.S. Women’s Open – Final Round
So Yeon Ryu of South Korea poses with the trophy after a playoff win against Hee…
So Yeon Ryu of South Korea poses with the trophy after a playoff win against Hee Kyung Seo of South Korea in the final round to win the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor on July 11, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LPGA Rolex Players Awards
NAPLES, FL – NOVEMBER 16: So Yeon Ryu of Korea (R) poses with Annika Sorenstam after…
NAPLES, FL – NOVEMBER 16: So Yeon Ryu of Korea (R) poses with Annika Sorenstam after receiving the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award during the LPGA Rolex Players Awards at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort on November 16, 2017 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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ANA Inspiration – Final Round
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 2: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea kisses the winner’s trophy…
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – APRIL 2: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea kisses the winner’s trophy after winning the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2017 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
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U.S. Women’s Open – Final Round
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – JULY 11: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea speaks to the media…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – JULY 11: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea speaks to the media after her win in a playoff against Hee Kyung Seo of Korea during the final round the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor on July 11, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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The Chevron Championship – Round One
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS – APRIL 18: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea prepares for a shot…
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS – APRIL 18: So Yeon Ryu of South Korea prepares for a shot on the 13th hole during the first round of The Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods on April 18, 2024 in The Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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