Yoo, who was the 2023 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, achieved her fourth career victory with this win. She started her winning streak in her debut year at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, followed by victories at the FM Championship in 2024 and the Black Desert Championship last year, marking four consecutive seasons with at least one win.
With Yoo's triumph, Korean women's golf has produced a major champion for the first time in two years since Yang Hee-young won the same event in 2024. This season, it marks the fourth victory for Korean players on the LPGA Tour, following victories by Im Yeong-hee and Kim Hyo-joo. Yoo also became the 11th Korean champion in the history of this tournament.
In a press conference, Yoo expressed her joy, saying, "Winning my first major feels like a dream. I am so happy, and it truly feels like a dream come true. The title 'Major Champion Yoo Hae-ran' sounds amazing. It's incredible and joyful to think that I will be introduced as 'Major Champion Yoo Hae-ran' from now on."
Yoo faced a cutline scare after the first round, with her chances of winning estimated at just 0.2% before the second round. However, she turned things around, maintaining her momentum through the final round to secure the major trophy.
Yoo is only the second player in history to win a women's major after trailing by 10 strokes following the first round, a feat last accomplished by Carol Mann in 1964. "After the first round, my only goal was to make it to the weekend," she said. "In the second round, I made eight birdies without any bogeys, which was an incredible performance. It still feels like a dream to me."
Reflecting on her coach's advice after the first round, she said, "He told me, 'You have no problems, just trust your shots, trust your caddy, and trust yourself on the course.' That advice really helped me a lot."
Starting the final round with a one-stroke lead, Yoo exchanged birdies and bogeys on the front nine, failing to gain any ground. However, she turned the tide on the back nine, making a birdie on the 10th hole with a precise iron shot and extending her lead with another birdie on the 12th hole. After successfully making a challenging par putt on the 16th hole, she sealed her victory with a par on the final 18th hole.
Yoo noted, "I expected a close contest with Brooke Henderson on the 9th and 10th holes, exchanging birdies. I focused on my own game. Not feeling pressured and trusting myself worked well for me."
After confirming her victory, Yoo shared a heartfelt hug with her mother. "My mother was crying while congratulating me," she said. "I told her, 'Don't cry. This is a good thing. It's a really great moment in my life, so don't cry.' I also want to thank my teammates who have supported me."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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