Haeran Ryu Bio
Haeran Ryu is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Korea Tour. Born on March 23, 2001, she turned professional in 2019 and quickly established herself as one of the top young players from South Korea. By the end of 2023, she had accumulated eight professional victories, including three on the LPGA Tour, and earned the 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, Ryu combines length off the tee with a steady short game, traits that have helped her compete in major championships and team events for her country. Her rapid rise from amateur standout to LPGA Tour winner has drawn attention across the women’s golf world.
Early Life and Background
Haeran Ryu was born on March 23, 2001, in Geumjeong-myeon, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Growing up in a rural part of Jeollanam-do, she was introduced to golf at a young age and developed her game through local clubs and competitive junior events. Her early dedication to the sport set the foundation for a promising career in professional golf.
As a junior, Ryu qualified for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, where she missed the cut, but the experience of competing against top professionals at a young age sharpened her focus. She continued to train rigorously, balancing school commitments with tournament play, and quickly emerged as one of the most promising amateur players in South Korea.
Path to Professional Golf
Ryu was a top amateur in South Korea and won the 2018 Korean Women’s Amateur, a major national title that confirmed her readiness for higher levels of competition. She also represented her country on the international stage, winning silver with the Korean team at the World Junior Girls Championship in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, she added another silver medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang in the women’s team event and played for the Asia/Pacific team at the Patsy Hankins Trophy.
These achievements positioned her among the most decorated young amateurs in the country and attracted the attention of the LPGA of Korea Tour development pathway. After consistent results in domestic and international amateur events, Ryu turned professional in mid-2019.
Haeran Ryu Career
Early Career on the LPGA of Korea Tour (2019–2022)
Ryu turned professional in mid-2019 and joined the LPGA of Korea Tour after success on the development tour. She made an immediate impact by winning the 2019 Jeju Samdasoo Masters in her first season, signaling her potential at the professional level. She successfully defended the title in 2020, her official rookie season, and earned the LPGA of Korea Tour Rookie of the Year award after finishing second on the money list with over 628 million won, trailing only Kim Hyo-joo.
During this period, Ryu also competed in major championships, finishing tied for 13th at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open, a result that lifted her to 17th in the Women’s World Golf Rankings. She added two more KLPGA titles in 2021 and a fifth KLPGA win in 2022, when she finished second in Player of the Year points and posted a scoring average of 70.57.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2023–Present)
Ryu earned her LPGA Tour card by winning the 2022 LPGA Q-Series, becoming the third player from South Korea to take medalist honors at the event, joining Lee Jeong-eun (2018) and An Na-rin (2021). She made her LPGA Tour debut at the LPGA Drive On Championship, where she finished tied for seventh, and she contended at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, placing eighth.
Her first LPGA Tour victory came at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, where she recovered from two early bogeys by shooting a 6-under 29 on the back nine to claim the title. She was subsequently named the 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, capping a remarkable first season on the tour.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ryu’s career has been marked by steady progression through team events, including silver medals at the 2016 and 2017 World Junior Girls Championship and at the 2018 Asian Games. Her medalist finish at the 2022 LPGA Q-Series and her first LPGA Tour win at the 2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship stand out as defining moments that announced her arrival on the global stage.
Haeran Ryu Career Wins
Haeran Ryu has compiled eight professional victories, split between the LPGA of Korea Tour and the LPGA Tour. Her wins reflect a balance of consistent play in her home country and breakthrough success on the biggest stage in women’s golf.
LPGA Tour Highlights
Ryu has won three events on the LPGA Tour, beginning with the 2023 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. She has also recorded strong finishes in major championships, including a tie for ninth at the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship, fifth at the 2024 Chevron Championship, fifth at the 2024 Evian Championship, and eighth at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open.
LPGA of Korea Tour Highlights
On the LPGA of Korea Tour, Ryu has five career wins. Her first came at the 2019 Jeju Samdasoo Masters, which she successfully defended in 2020. She added two more titles in 2021 and a fifth in 2022, establishing herself as one of the tour’s leading players before her transition to the LPGA Tour.
Haeran Ryu Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Haeran Ryu was raised in Geumjeong-myeon, Yeongam-gun, in the Jeollanam-do province of South Korea. Public details about her parents and family members are limited, and she has generally kept her personal and family life private as she has focused on her professional career.
Personal Life
Ryu resides primarily in the United States to pursue her schedule on the LPGA Tour, while maintaining ties to South Korea. There is no public information available regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Haeran Ryu entered the 2025 LPGA Tour season as an established player following her 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign and three career Tour titles. Building on her strong major-championship finishes in 2024, including fifth-place results at the Chevron Championship and the Evian Championship, she has continued to compete regularly on both the LPGA Tour and select LPGA of Korea Tour events.
Her 2025 schedule has featured consistent appearances in full-field events and majors, where her combination of distance and accuracy has kept her in contention on a variety of course layouts. As the season progresses, Ryu remains focused on contending for her first major championship and adding to her LPGA Tour win total.
With a growing comfort level on American courses and the experience gained from her 2023 rookie season, Ryu is positioned as one of the prominent South Korean players to watch on the LPGA Tour in 2025.