KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 28, 2026

Haeran Ryu

Hazeltine National Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Haeran Ryu is with us now. How does it feel to be the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship champion?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, it was -- feels like dream because my first major title in my life.

So I'm so happy, and then, yeah, it's dreams come true.

Q. When you hear Haeran Ryu, major champion, what do you think?

HAERAN RYU: Wow. It's awesome. (Laughter.) Major champion Haeran Ryu, awesome. I'm so happy to I got the major title, and then now next tournament now they introduce for me like major champion Haeran Ryu; it's amazing for me.

And then, yeah, so happy. That's it.

Q. I know you took that month off. Does it feel worth it to now have stepped away for a month?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, absolutely, yes, because I don't have to a lot stressful for the golf and then just hang out and then just eat some great food from my mom.

So it was so good sign for me and then good rest, and I can do play well this week.

Q. Congratulations.

HAERAN RYU: Thank you.

Q. You're only the second player in major championship history to come back from ten shots after the first round. Can you take us back to what you were thinking that evening after the first round, the emotions you felt?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, on the first round I just thought like this is the comeback tournament so I just want to play on the weekend.

But on the second round it was amazing play because I had eight birdies and then bogey-free round on the second round. Yeah, I mean, just feels like dream right now. (Smiling.)

Q. The putter that you put back into play was the one you had at Kroger, right?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah.

Q. How long had you been using that putter?

HAERAN RYU: I think last January. I think January maybe.

Q. So all season. So the first round of this week was the first time that you used a new putter all year?

HAERAN RYU: Yes.

Q. If there is one shot that you will always remember as being the key shot today, which one was it?

HAERAN RYU: I think No. 10. No. 10 hole second shot, because that hole is so tricky because the tee shot's little narrow for me and then the second shot is just by to the reverse.

So it's a little windy up there, so always I felt like little hard at that hole. But I makes a birdie at hole 10, so...

Q. Because 9 and 10 were crucial because I think you and Brooke both made birdies, you answered her, she answered you. At that point did you think it was going to be neck and neck all the way?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, I know. I know that almost same score as Brooke, but just -- I just play on my golf because she playing well. She's a great player so I know she doing well. I just focus for my golf and no more pressure for me. Trusting myself. So that works.

Q. Congratulations. When you putted out on the 18th, you kind of seemed like you were giggling for joy, laughing. Was that disbelief? What was your emotions right there?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, right. I felt like, yeah, it was feels like dream and I cannot trust right now. Now feel like dream and that's why I laugh a lot on the last hole.

And then a lot of players waiting for me by next to the green and I saw the Amy is there, so she's like, let's go, Haeran, with the two bottles of champagne, so that's why I laugh a lot there.

Q. And then what was it like having to sit out and not be able to play the U.S. Open?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, it was hard to choose to cancel the U.S. Open, but I just think like just missed cut at the U.S. Open and I play in the America and I just missed cut.

So and then I just work hard again and then good rest and have a good time in my parents and my friends. So it's a little bit sad, but it's okay.

Q. You got to give your mom a pretty big hug and celebrate with her. What did it mean to have your mom on site?

HAERAN RYU: My mom said like oh, congrats Haeran, oh, you're doing well. She almost crying. But I said, oh, don't cry. It's a good thing, good thing for the my life. Don't cry. Please don't cry.

Q. So you obviously had a lot of friends there waiting for you. I know on Tour you all are competitors. What does it mean to have that group of Korean friends that you can celebrate this moment with?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, so thankful for play together on Tour. And then I think they're older than me, a lot players older than me, so I'm always ask for something from my friends but they say always doing good for me.

But I'm so thankful my friends and waiting for me.

Q. You're one of the best ball-strikers on Tour. As a young player, how did you build the swing that you have today?

HAERAN RYU: In Korea culture a lot of young golfers started to practice a lot in the morning, started around the 9:00 and finish around afternoon 6:00, so I don't know the American players, but in Korean players just practice a lot for the swing.

But that's why we are good ball-striker a lot in Korea. So, yeah, I think I'm same as that one, yeah, that part.

Q. So most of the time on the range you're saying?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, on the range.

Q. Any given week, how often would you be on the golf course as a kid?

HAERAN RYU: I don't like practice on the golf course so always I'm just staying on the practice driving range a lot, and maybe twice in two weeks maybe.

Q. Wow.

HAERAN RYU: Not a lot.