'I Cannot Believe This Is Real' - Emotional So Yeon Ryu Reflects On Retirement After Chevron Championship Missed Cut
The two-time Major champion missed the cut at the Chevron Championship in what is her last tournament as a professional


An emotional So Yeon Ryu said she felt "numb" as the reality of retirement hit home following a missed cut at the Chevron Championship, her final tournament as a professional.
Ahead of the first women's Major of the year, Ryu penned a handwritten letter on social media announcing her surprise retirement from professional golf.
Having turned professional aged 17 in 2007, the now 33-year-old went on to win two Majors during her illustrious career but admitted before the tournament that she had been worn down by the non-stop nature of Tour life.
The South Korean's hopes of making the cut in her final event were largely dashed after an opening-round 77 on Thursday at The Club at Carlton Woods. A spirited second-round display saw the former World No. 1 shoot a second-round 74 but ultimately miss the cut by five strokes.
"I'm very numb now. I just cannot believe this is real. Nobody pushed me to retire. That was my decision. Still, I just cannot believe this is real," Ryu reflected after her round on Friday.
"I felt teary all the time for sure, but I promised myself I was not going to cry because I feel like once I'm going to cry I'm going to lose it. I wanted to make sure this week is a celebratory week, not a sad week.
"It's been very touching. A lot of people came up to me and congratulated me. I just feel very blessed. You cannot really have this feeling often. Maybe this is my first and last.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I really tried my best to enjoy everything. Even out there I tried to enjoy the thrill of a tee shot, a tough chip shot, the nerves when I had a birdie putt kind of stuff. I think I'm very satisfied with my week."
Ryu won her second Major at the 2017 ANA Inspiration
Having kept her emotions in check throughout her first two rounds, Ryu admitted that the reality of her decision finally hit home as she approached the 18th tee box on Friday.
"I actually tried not to think about it until like 16th hole, and then when I got to the 18th teeing ground, all of a sudden in my head, is this going to be my last tee shot," she said.
"Then I just couldn't believe it. That was a time that I started to feel like this was it. I think I will feel a little emotional, but I guess it's going to hit me maybe tonight. I don't know. I'm still quite numb. Like I just can't believe it. I just don't know what to say."
At the other end of the leaderboard, Jin Hee Im and Atthaya Thitikul share the lead at eight-under-par, but all eyes remain on Nelly Korda who is just one shot behind and attempting to become just the third LPGA Tou player to win five consecutive tournaments.
Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
Who Is Bud Cauley's Wife?
PGA Tour star Bud Cauley has been married to wife Kristi since 2021 - get to know her better here
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published
-
You Don't See This Very Often... Why Does This Tour Pro Have A Right Handed And Left Handed Putter In The Bag This Week?
Playing the Australian Women's Classic, it was revealed that Marianne Skarpnord had put two putters in her bag for the week, with the reason being quite simple
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Charley Hull And Georgia Hall Knocked Out Of Sunningdale Foursomes
The LPGA Tour stars fell short against Tom Shadbolt and Ben Evans in the last 16 of the prestigious contest
By Mike Hall Published
-
Charley Hull And Georgia Hall Progress As Gareth Bale Knocked Out Of Sunningdale Foursomes
The Solheim Cup stars made it through on Tuesday as five-time Champions League winner Gareth Bale lost on the final hole
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Charley Hull and Gareth Bale Among Star Names At Sunningdale Foursomes
Some big names are set to appear in the historic foursomes event for 2025, which has seen the likes of Luke Donald and Sam Torrance win previously
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Japanese Star Ties Course Record To Secure Blue Bay LPGA Title
Rio Takeda carded a closing eight-under 64 at the difficult Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island, China to clinch her second LPGA Tour title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Australian WPGA Championship Cancelled Ahead Of Gold Coast Cyclone
The Australian WPGA Championship has been cancelled due to the threat posed by Cyclone Alfred
By Mike Hall Published
-
Blue Bay LPGA Prize Money Payout 2025
The LPGA Tour heads to China, where Bailey Tardy defends her title as players compete for the largest purse of the season so far
By Mike Hall Published
-
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Format, Which Teams Are Playing And How To Watch
The 13th Darius Rucker Intercollegiate takes place in South Carolina - here are some of the key details about the prestigious college golf tournament
By Mike Hall Published