Golfer Ryu Hae-ran says she 'envied' LPGA major champion label

Korean golfer Ryu Hae-ran said Thursday that she had long envied players introduced as "major champions," a label she says still feels surreal after capturing two consecutive major titles on the LPGA Tour.

The 25-year-old claimed her maiden LPGA major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship last month, followed by a second victory at the Amundi Evian Championship last week.

She is now the first South Korean player to secure back-to-back major titles since Hall of Famer Park In-bee won three in a row in 2013.

"Whenever players were introduced at tournaments, I envied those who were described as major champions the most," Ryu told reporters at a press conference at a hotel in Seoul.

While she admitted her rapid success has been difficult to process, Ryu noted a definite shift in her confidence on the course.

"Now, when I go to tournaments, I'm introduced before tee-off as a major champion," she said with a bright smile.

She credited her Evian performance, where she shot an 11-under 60, the lowest 18-hole score in LPGA major history, to a release of pressure after her breakthrough major win.

"Bef ...