Haeran Ryu secured a remarkable victory at the inaugural Black Desert Championship in IVINS, Utah, with an impressive 8-under 64 on Sunday. Her flawless back nine included an 8-foot eagle putt that propelled her to a five-shot win, marking the LPGA Tour’s return to Utah after a 61-year hiatus. This wire-to-wire triumph was Ryu’s second win in a new event, following her previous success at the FM Championship last year at TPC Boston.
Despite a challenging performance at the Chevron Championship the previous week, Ryu’s strong finish at the Black Desert Championship showcased her resilience. She narrowly held onto a one-shot lead over Esther Henseleit as they entered the back nine. A key 15-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole and an eagle on the 13th widened her lead to four shots, ultimately securing her victory.
Henseleit, who made an early charge with a 31 on the front nine, couldn’t maintain the momentum on the back nine, finishing with a 66. Ruoning Yin, who surged with a 62 on Saturday, also challenged Ryu but fell short, tying with Henseleit for second place.
Yin’s strong performance, highlighted by four consecutive birdies starting on the 11th hole, briefly closed the gap with Ryu. However, Ryu responded with a birdie on the 15th, reestablishing a comfortable lead. Despite a late stumble with a double bogey on the 16th, Yin acknowledged Ryu’s exceptional play and sportsmanship.
Yan Liu’s final-round 65 secured a fourth-place finish, while Stephanie Kyriacou’s albatross on the 18th hole highlighted her tie for sixth with a 67. Ryu’s victory marked the 10th different winner in as many tournaments on the LPGA Tour this season, showcasing the competitive landscape of the tour.
