The News-Times

Ryu rediscover­s winning touch

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — So Yeon Ryu found her winning touch at Blythefiel­d Country Club

Ryu won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday, closing with a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over Caroline Masson. The 29-yearold South Korean player has six LPGA Tour victories, winning twice last year.

“I’ve been working really hard with my coach and my psychologi­st, trainer, whole my team,” Ryu said. “Finally I was able to find the last piece to put everything together, so it’s really, really meaningful to me.”

The two-time major champion birdied the

par-5 16th and par-4 17th and parred the

par-4 18th to finish at 21-under 267.

“I’ve been really, really struggling. I had a lot of crazy moments,” Ryu said. “I had some good rounds, I had some really bad rounds, so I couldn’t even really finish top-10 compared to any other season. So, all those reasons just drove me crazy.”

Two strokes behind Anna Nordqvist and Lee-Anne Pace entering the round, Ryu had six birdies and bogey in the final round.

“I was really calm today,” said Ryu, set to open her NW Arkansas Championsh­ip title defense Friday. “Of course I prayed like thousand times, but I was really calm. I was able to focus on my game instead of think about other players.”

Masson closed with a 70-foot birdie putt for a 68.

“Super happy about the finish today. Second place is great,” Masson said. “I was trying to win it today, but it just wasn’t quite enough. I think I made a couple good putts and I missed a few very makeable ones, too, so I guess you just have to make those if you really want to win.”

Lydia Ko shot a 67 to finish third at 18 under.

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