Korean quinella as Ryu claims US Open

BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2011 US Women's Open | Wrap | 12 Jul 2011

21 year old Korean golfer So Yeon Ryu today birdied the final hole of regulation play at the weather delayed US Women’s Open at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs before defeating her fellow countrywoman, Hee Kyung Seo, in a three hole playoff.

Ryu becomes the 5th Korean to win the US Women’s Open following in the footsteps of Se Ri Pak, Birdie Kim, Eun Hee Ji and In Bee Park.

The playoff pair have been great rivals throughout their short professional careers, both winning multiple titles on the Korean LPGA Tour. Seo, though, has won on the LPGA Tour so Ryu’s task looked a difficult one as she returned to the golf course to complete the final three holes of her round on Monday morning.

In contrast to the blustery winds that had prevailed over the closing stages of Sunday’s play, the conditions today were near perfect with hardly a breath of wind and overcast skies. The scene was set for something dramatic and something dramatic would unfold.

Seo had slept on a one shot lead overnight after she had finished her final round just before play was called due to darkness on Sunday evening. Ryu, however, was one of 30 players who were required to return to the The Broadmoor on Monday morning to complete their final rounds.

When she did, Ryu made a great par save after finding the bunker at the 16th, narrowly missed a 20 foot opportunity at the par five 17th but then hit a magnificent 6 iron to 6 feet at the 72nd hole and converted to join Seon in the lead.

The three hole playoff began at the 16th where both players hit good tee shots at the par three but two putted for pars. At the lengthy par five 17th Seo found the fairway trap from the tee leaving her unable to reach the green in three shots and bogeyed.

At the same hole Ryu was flawless. Her approach from 129 yards finished 9 feet from the hole and when she converted she was ahead by two with one to play.

Both players hit great drives at what would be the last of the playoff holes. Seo was first to play her second and finished at the back of the green. Ryu then hit a superb five iron to 4 feet and it was all but over. It was confirmed just a few minutes later when Ryu holed the birdie putt and she had won the three hole shootout by three.

Ryu now has access to the LPGA Tour having gained her start in this particular event because of her standing in top five on the Korean LPGA Tour. She now has an embarrassment of choices as to what she wishes to do with her career but she is clearly a player capable of more LPGA Tour success and at just 21 years of age plenty of opportunity to do so.

There is an Australian connection to the victory. Ryu spent time in Australia last summer working on her game and her caddie this week was Australian Dean Herden who until earlier this year caddied for the former world number one Jiyai Shin.

Ryu has also played well in Australia previously finishing runner-up to Katherine Hull at the 2009 ANZ Ladies Masters.

Cristie Kerr parred her final four holes to finish alone in third position and two shots behind the playoff while Angela Stanford fought back from her late disaster yesterday with a birdie at the 16th before a bogey at the 72nd hole would see her finish 4th.

Mika Miyazato was 5th while Karrie Webb finished in a share of 6th with Ai Miyazato and the 2008 champion In Bee Park.

Lindsey Wright was the only other Australian to make the cut finishing in 50th position.

The LPGA Tour now has a break of two weeks before the lucrative Evian Masters in France.

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