Two weeks after playing in the final group with Brooke Henderson to capture the Women's PGA Championship, Ryu birdied the first hole of a playoff to again deny the Canadian a third career major in most spectacular fashion.
After starting the final round three shots clear of the field, and seven ahead of Henderson, the South Korean had to endure a remarkable fightback to back up her breakthrough victory at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Henderson forced the playoff with her third eagle of the day at the last hole, having recorded her first on the eighth and then notched a hole in one on the ninth to pick up four shots in two holes.
Ryu, who closed with a level-par 71, needed her first birdie of the day on No.18 just to make the playoff after Henderson posted a scintillating final-round 64 at Evian Golf Resort.
But 2022 champion Henderson found the trees playing the 18th again as Ryu birdied to secure a tense victory.
"I'm living a dream right now," said 25-year-old Ryu, who who shot 60 on Saturday for the lowest round at a major, then rolled in a birdie putt from three feet to ensure there would be double major winners in the same year for the first time in women's golf.
World No.1 Nelly Korda had won the first two majors of 2026 — the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open -- but couldn't make the cut in the Evian.
"Before these three weeks, I didn't have a major championship — now two in a row," the 25-year-old Ryu said. "I am so happy, I can't believe it."
In contrast to her amazing round on Saturday, Ryu's final round featured only one birdie and a bogey.
Her lone birdie in regulation came on the 18th hole, and left her admitting: "Yeah, I know how important that putt was, so that's why I was so nervous.
"But I made it and then almost like a little bit celebrate. Yeah, so happy on last two birdies."
The disappointing Australian challenge, with only two of their players making the cut, ended with Cassie Porter, with a final-round 69, and Karis Davidson (71) both finishing tied for 26th on six under, 13 shots adrift.
For Queenslander Davidson, there was at least the satisfaction of being the top Australian in three successive majors, after she finished tied for 12th with Grace Kim in the Women's PGA and equal 22nd with Kim at last month's US Open.
After beating world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul in a wild playoff last year, Kim missed the cut on her title defence in France, along with fellow Australian major champions Minjee Lee and Hannah Green.
With AAP
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