Hae Ran Ryu has quickly made a name for herself as a rising force on the LPGA Tour. The 24-year-old from South Korea is known for her discipline and precision, traits that helped her dominate the KLPGA, where she earned five victories and the 2020 Rookie of the Year title. Her transition to the LPGA was seamless—she topped the Q-Series in 2022 and followed that by winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2023, along with her first LPGA title at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
By 2025, expectations had shifted from whether she’d be competitive at a major to when she’d finally break through. That moment might have arrived. Ryu delivered a brilliant, bogey-free 7-under 65 in the first round of the 2025 Chevron Championship, tying for the lead with Yan Liu. She recorded seven birdies and needed only 24 putts, showing tremendous poise and skill under major championship pressure. Her performance was a display of total control, and her equipment deserves plenty of credit for helping her get there.
Ryu’s Equipment Breakdown:
Long Game Tools:
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus 9.0° – ideal for controlling spin and maximizing distance with a low-spin flight.
3-Wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus 15.0° – provides versatility for tight fairways and long par-5s.
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour 19.5° – bridges the gap between woods and long irons with a high launch and tight dispersion.
Irons:
4-Iron: TaylorMade P·770 – balances distance and feel.
5–9 Irons: TaylorMade P·7MC – forged irons designed for accuracy and feedback, perfect for a tactician like Ryu.
Short Game Arsenal:
Putters: Ryu is using the Spider ZT Proto, a prototype mallet putter that’s already proving its worth with her stellar putting on Thursday. She also uses a TP Reserve M47 for longer-range control.
Wedges: She relies on three TaylorMade MG4 wedges—48° and 54° SB grinds for full-swing control, and a 58° LB grind for versatility on tight lies and bunkers.
Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5 – offers optimal spin, soft feel, and a consistent ball flight, completing her well-rounded setup.
Ryu’s game is built on fundamentals rather than flash, and her setup reflects that efficiency. She may not seek the spotlight, but her game speaks for itself. With a hot putter and a complete bag backing her up, she’s in prime position to capture her first major title—and possibly announce herself as the next big star in women’s golf.