It took Haeran Ryu less than four years to establish herself as one of the brightest stars in women’s golf.

The 25-year-old from the Republic of Korea has already amassed five LPGA Tour victories, including back-to-back major championships in 2026, vaulting her to No. 3 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and No. 2 in the Race to the CME Globe standings. Her meteoric rise has positioned her as one of the game’s premier players — and perhaps its next global superstar.

Ryu’s journey began long before she arrived on the LPGA Tour. As a teenage amateur, she competed in the 2016 US Women’s Open at just 15 years old. She also represented Korea at the World Junior Girls Championship, captured a silver medal with Team Korea, played in the 2018 Asian Games, helped the Asia-Pacific team win the Patsy Hankins Trophy, and claimed the Korean Women’s Amateur title.

Turning professional in 2019, Ryu wasted little time making an impact. She won the Jeju Samdasoo Masters in her very first KLPGA start and was later named the KLPGA Rookie of the Year in 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, she added four more victories while establishing herself as one of Korea’s elite golfers.

Her next challenge was the LPGA Tour.

After several appearances as a non-member, Ryu earned full LPGA status by topping the 2022 LPGA Q-Series, setting the stage for an outstanding rookie campaign in 2023.

She immediately proved she belonged, making eight consecutive cuts to begin the season and recording three top-10 finishes before capturing her maiden LPGA title at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Leading wire-to-wire, she finished at 19-under-par to win by three strokes.

Ryu capped off a stellar debut season by earning the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award. She made 22 cuts in 25 starts, recorded six top-10 finishes, and finished 13th in the Race to the CME Globe.

She was even better in 2024.

Ryu posted 13 top-10 finishes — the most of any player on the LPGA Tour that season — and claimed her second career victory at the inaugural FM Championship. After firing a second-round 62, she rallied from four shots behind on the final day with a closing 64 before defeating Lydia Ko and Jin Young Ko in a playoff.

She finished the season second in the Race to the CME Globe after making 23 cuts in 26 tournaments.

In 2025, Ryu added another victory at the inaugural Black Desert Championship, cruising to a five-shot win at a remarkable 26-under-par. She also recorded her first LPGA hole-in-one at the Portland Classic and represented Korea at the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown.

But 2026 has elevated her career to another level.

After opening the season with top-10 finishes in her first four starts, Ryu captured her maiden major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She overcame a 10-shot first-round deficit — the largest comeback to win a women’s major since 1964 — to finish two shots clear of fellow Korean Ina Yoon.