Humans of Yonsei

Although the foundation for golf in Korea has expanded significantly, it remains a sport that is not easy to access. It is often perceived as a sport distant from the general public, favored by only a select few. In contrast, many countries abroad enjoy golf as a casual sport, accessible and fun for everyone. Ryu So-yeon, an alumna and former LPGA champion who reached the world number one ranking and lifted numerous trophies during her playing career, is now preparing for a new challenge. After concluding her 16-year professional career in April, she aims to leverage her insights from her time as a player to drive change and popularize the golf culture in Korea.

Rising Star of Golf, Dreaming of Yonsei

Ryu has made a name for herself as a rising star in the golf world since her childhood. She was selected for the national team in her third year of middle school and became a two-time champion in both individual and team events during her first year of high school, ultimately making her professional debut in her senior year. One might wonder if there was someone who recognized her talent early on and encouraged her to pursue a career as a golfer, but in reality, there were no such suggestions or offers from those around her. None of her family or relatives were involved in sports. She simply found golf to be immensely enjoyable as a hobby, which led her to the decision to become a professional golfer on her own.

“At the age of nine, in the second grade of elementary school, I first started golf through an after-school program. Back then, I wanted to spend time with my friends, and I thought it would be great to play golf together. As I continued, I found it enjoyable and became more dedicated to it. I made the decision to become a golfer in my first year of middle school. I had been learning the flute since the first grade of elementary school and originally wanted to major in music. However, I fell deeply in love with golf. Above all, I think I am someone who fundamentally enjoys nature. I appreciated that golf is a sport played outdoors. While music can be interpreted differently by listeners, golf reveals your skill through numbers. After some time juggling both flute and golf, I realized that I preferred something with concrete and visible results, which ultimately led to the decision to pursue golf as a career.”

Although she gained attention as a rising star in the golf world during her high school years, Ryu's other goal was to gain admission to Yonsei University. As there was an unspoken rule at the time that the best golfers would be admitted to Yonsei University, Yonsei had been the school she dreamed of attending since childhood. In 2009, she fulfilled that dream.

“There are many outstanding senior players from Yonsei University in the golf community. In fact, several of my senior colleagues who participated in the Asian Games with me are also Yonsei alumni. I've been close friends with golfer Kim Bio since childhood, and I remember how happy we were when we both got accepted to Yonsei.”

Yonsei: A Breath of Fresh Air in a Competitive World

While Ryu dreamed of a vibrant college life at Yonsei, her status as an active player meant she had to juggle tournament participation and training. Did she get to enjoy a typical university experience? Ryu made every effort to balance her academics, training, and campus life. Guided by her mother’s advice to be dedicated not only to sports but also to her studies, she embraced the dual pursuit of athletics and academics as a familiar routine. Although managing both was challenging, her mother’s emphasis on learning important social skills in school fueled Ryu’s desire to make the most of her college experience. 

“I tried to maintain as much balance as possible, especially to ensure I didn’t neglect my studies. I scheduled most of my classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays since tournaments usually took place on weekends—Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Even when competing, I made sure to attend classes on Mondays. On days I had to miss class, I made the effort to submit substitute assignments to make up for the absence. I also served as the head of public relations in the student council. At the time, the president of the Physical Education Student Council wanted to involve more athletes in such activities. Since athletes couldn’t fully engage in campus life like other students, he aimed to provide us with more opportunities to participate in one way or another. Thanks to that, I had an enjoyable time on campus.”

Ryu describes herself as a “greedy perfectionist,” and during her time at Yonsei, she made the most of her experiences while pursuing her dreams. Balancing her studies, athletic commitments, and student council activities, she effectively managed her time to excel in all three categories. In 2011, she won the US Women’s Open on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, and the following year, she was named Rookie of the Year, successfully establishing herself in the LPGA. After her victory, she began competing more seriously in the United States during her senior year, making it challenging to attend classes. Nevertheless, Ryu demonstrated her unwavering passion for academics by returning to Korea to attend lectures in between tournaments.
Ryu’s college life at Yonsei was a refuge amidst the intense competition of being a professional athlete that allowed her to experience a more ordinary life as a student. It was something she needed; a healing break from the high expectations that accompanied her sports career.

 “I didn’t want to be someone who only knew about sports. (Laughs) I believed that in the distant future, if I were to stop playing golf, having an academic background would open up various new paths for my future. That’s why I worked hard in my studies, and it was fulfilling to see my academic life and athletic career becoming sources of vitality for each other to maintain a healthy balance. As a professional athlete, I always felt the need to act like an adult and behave maturely, which was burdensome and challenging. Yonsei was the place where I could just be a regular college student, enjoying life with my friends without the need to act like an adult, and that made me appreciate my school even more.”

The Secrets Behind Winning Many Trophies

Having been a star from a young age, Ryu entered the professional world of gold from a young age and has won numerous tournaments both domestically and internationally. With 10 wins on the KLPGA and 6 on the LPGA, she even reached the world number one ranking. Renowned as a ‘collector of national titles’, she has claimed victories in national tournaments across five countries: Korea, the United States, Japan, Canada, and China. What is the secret behind her impressive 16-year career as a player packed with such a dazzling record? Ryu stresses that golf is an individual sport that requires mental toughness. A momentary lapse can determine the outcome of the entire tournament. She describes herself as an aggressive player, emphasizing that she not only focused on skill but also approached her mental game with confidence. She considers maintaining composure amid ups and downs as an essential quality for a golfer, something she aimed to uphold throughout her playing career.

"I believe I played with an aggressive style. I have a disposition that leans more toward Western culture than Korean. I don’t worry about how others perceive me and I'm not afraid to express my opinions. I enjoy doing things my own way. In Korea, I felt a bit different, but when I went to the U.S., those traits were more readily accepted and I felt freer. I've always tried to maintain confidence. I also think my personality suits golf well. If we look at it through the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) lens, I'm a strong 'J (Judging)' type; I like being organized. I always had a plan for my training and competitions. It’s not only fun but following through with my plans gives me a sense of perseverance, which has helped me build my career as a golfer. On the other hand, to excel at golf, you have to maintain a positive mindset. Since it’s such a mental game, negative thoughts can trap you in a never-ending cycle. Keeping a positive outlook gives you room to breathe. People describe me as diligent and persistent, but I think it’s my passion for what I love and my sense of responsibility that earns me those compliments."

When asked about the most significant match among her many achievements as a golfer with exceptional skills and mental fortitude, Ryu pointed to the "Doosan Match Play Championship" during her freshman year at university, her second year as a professional golfer. This tournament is notable for being the only match-play format regular event in the KLPGA calendar, and it is also known for being particularly lengthy. Her perseverance and unwavering composure during this competition left a lasting impression on golf fans.

"I went to a playoff nine times during that tournament. Coincidentally, I faced off against a player with whom I had won a gold medal at the Asian Games. This added to the drama and made it a big issue at the time. Winning that match helped me gain recognition as a tenacious and focused player, so it stands out in my memory. Of course, I can't forget the 2011 U.S. Women's Open, which opened the door for me to compete on the U.S. tour. It was a life-changing tournament for me. Additionally, just a year after my win at the U.S. Open, I received the Rookie of the Year award on the LPGA, which is something you can only get once in a lifetime. I hadn’t received the Rookie of the Year title in the KLPGA, so that made it even more meaningful to earn it on a larger stage."

Overcoming the Slump That Came with the Pandemic, Without Regrets

During Ryu’s playing career, she achieved the world No. 1 ranking with outstanding skill, but she also faced difficult times. In 2021, her passion for golf began to wane, and naturally, her performance suffered. As tournaments decreased due to the pandemic, she became more aware of the simple joys of everyday life that she had previously overlooked and not fully appreciated.

“During the pandemic, I spent nine months in Korea. I realized there were things I had given up and experiences I hadn't enjoyed while playing golf. As a golfer, packing and traveling is a way of life; I'm constantly living in hotels and airports. It’s a simple routine, yet I couldn’t wake up in my own bed or spend holidays with my family. Experiencing that ordinary life for nine months left me feeling empty. As a child, everything was full of energy and new experiences, but at some point, I lost that sense of excitement. I thought maybe it was right to let go of things since I couldn’t have it all while doing what I love. I played on tour for about a year, but I wasn't happy. My inability to focus on golf led to poor performance. It was the only slump in my career, like a phase of adolescence. (Laughs) So I acknowledged my detachment from golf and continued touring, but with the mindset that I would work hard enough to avoid regrets until the day I retire, regardless of the results. At Yonsei, with so many sports clubs, I had many opportunities to talk with friends from different sports, which helped me realize that I wasn’t the only one struggling. This motivated me to work harder, and I aimed to maintain a balanced perspective by engaging with friends who had diverse viewpoints.”

Leaving Behind Her Athletic Career to Broaden Golf's Reach

Ryu, who has long been a leading figure in Korean golf, even after overcoming slumps, retired this year after 16 years as a professional golfer. The decision was one she had already made at the start of her 2022 tour. Above all, she believed that to begin a new chapter after retirement, it was better to start sooner rather than later.
"Although I longed for a normal life, golf is a sport where even giving your best might not be enough. When I recognized that I no longer had the mindset to give it my all, I thought it would be better to stop rather than continue without doing my best."

As she prepared for retirement, Ryu gave a great deal of thought to her future. Ultimately, she decided to continue her work in the world of golf. Given her deep love for the sport, she now wants to help expand and improve the golf culture in Korea. She hopes to popularize the sport so that more people can enjoy a healthy golfing environment. Through this, she aims to create better conditions for future generations of golfers to thrive.

"Although Korea is recognized as a leading nation in golf, I feel that our golf culture hasn’t yet fully taken root. There are still stereotypes about golf, such as it being a sport only for the wealthy. But I didn’t grow up in an extremely affluent family, and I had a lot of help from others along the way. You often see scenes in dramas or movies where shady deals are made on the golf course, and that image always felt a bit unfair to me, even as a child. In reality, golf originated in Scotland as a game where shepherds hit wool bundles with sticks. It wasn’t a sport for the elite but for ordinary people. In the U.S., golf courses are often integrated into residential areas, where people stroll over in slippers for a casual round. It’s seen as a relaxed, everyday activity. I’m passionate about figuring out how we can change these perceptions and bring golf into the realm of an everyday sport. I’m also interested in golf course design and the administrative side of things. Honestly, I loved being a professional golfer so much that I can’t imagine doing something I’m not passionate about."

Player to Commentator: Bringing Golf Closer and More Accessible

Ryu recently debuted as an LPGA commentator, covering the LPGA Tour Dana Open—a tournament where she once claimed victory. Although she had previous experience as a commentator during the Tokyo Olympics, this marks her first full-fledged role as a professional commentator, a new challenge for her. Ryu believes that her commentary will contribute to making golf more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. She hopes to enhance the excitement of the game while highlighting the efforts of the players behind the scenes, offering insights that truly showcase their skills and hard work.

"Commentating is definitely challenging, and there’s a lot of preparation involved. I want to focus on making the players shine. Traditional commentary tends to emphasize surface-level aspects, like mistakes or good plays, without showing how much effort goes on behind the scenes. On the field, it might look like the players are hitting the ball easily, but in reality, they’re often making difficult judgments under pressure and executing incredible shots. If I can clearly explain just how challenging certain situations are, I think viewers will find it more interesting. It could also increase their understanding and appreciation of the game. These days, there’s a lot of talk about how Korean players aren’t performing as well as they did in the past, but honestly, they’re still doing great. I know how hard the players work, so I want to use my commentary to highlight their dedication and effort."

Ryu’s commentary has received numerous positive reviews following her broadcasts. Some viewers have even remarked that she doesn’t need to be so modest, as many are eagerly anticipating more of her unique and insightful commentary, filled with stories from the field and the players themselves. With Ryu being a perfectionist, she will likely use this feedback to further refine her approach, dedicating time to making her commentary even more engaging and informative in the future.

Providing More Opportunities for Athletes

Another area Ryu hopes to change is the culture surrounding the education of elite athletes. She believes this issue is closely tied to policy matters. She wishes for athletes to have more diverse learning opportunities, allowing them to explore paths beyond their fields of specialization. 

"Not all athletes succeed in their careers. Only a few make it to the top. Many athletes dedicate themselves solely to sports from a young age, putting academics aside. When they face injuries or need to retire, it becomes difficult for them to find new paths because of these limitations. While studying physical education, I had the chance to look into both domestic and international education policies. Compared to other countries, Korea’s system doesn’t really allow elite athletes to balance academics with their sports. I’m not sure where to start, but I hope to one day contribute to the improvement of these education policies, even if it’s in a small way."

Along with this, Ryu aspires to be an alumna with a positive impact. She takes great pride in being a Yonseian, to the point where her friends joke that 'Ryu bleeds blue’. While she has consistently donated to the university, what matters more to her is her personal growth, striving to become an individual who lives up to Yonsei’s reputation.
Alumna Ryu So-yeon hopes that golf will be embraced not as a sport detached from everyday life but as one that blends seamlessly into it. Just as she has loved and found joy in golf, she will continue moving forward, striving to help more people discover the beauty and enjoyment of the game. Even if it’s a small step, she will take it with steady determination and fiery passion, in her own unique way.