USGA, Soyeon Ryu-Sorenstam Special Invitation to U.S. Women’s Open

Yoo So-yeon (32) was specially invited to the US Women’s Open in the 2023 season along with “Empress” Annika Sorenstam (Sweden안전놀이터).

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on the 9th that it would “specially invite 2011 champion Soyeon Ryu to the 2023 US Women’s Open, which will be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links for four days from June 6th.” Prior to So-Yeon Ryu, the USGA invited ‘Empress’ Annika Sorenstam as a special invitation. With 72 victories on her tour career, Sorenstam won three US Women’s Opens.

The reason why So-Yeon Ryu was specially invited is because she has participated in the US Women’s Open 13 times and has achieved outstanding results. Ryu So-yeon won the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs by defeating Seo Hee-kyung in a three-hole playoff. She also finished in the top 5 six times in nine US Women’s Opens from 2011 to 2019.

In her statement, Yoo So-yeon said, “I am honored and delighted to receive a special invitation. The US Women’s Open has a special meaning to me personally and I’m excited to compete again in a special venue like Pebble Beach. I am grateful to the USGA for giving me this opportunity,” she said.

Ryu So-yeon is a player who has won national titles in Korea, the United States and Japan. With six career victories on the LPGA Tour, including her two majors, So-yeon Ryu won the 2011 US Women’s Open, 2018 Japan Women’s Open, and 2020 Korea Women’s Open, respectively. Soyeon Ryu, who is currently ranked 112th in the world, was ranked number 1 in the world for 19 weeks from June to September 2017. In 2012 she was named LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year and in 2017 she was named LPGA Tour Player of the Year.