How does a young woman from Yongin City, South Korea, transform herself into one of golf’s rising international stars while maintaining deep connections to her roots? Somi Lee’s story provides a masterclass in balancing professional ambition with personal identity. Her journey began in the bustling city of Yongin, yet it would eventually lead her to prestigious courses across the globe.
Born on January 6, 1999, Somi Lee grew up in Yongin City, South Korea. She stands at just 5’4″ tall. From an early age, she displayed a natural talent for golf. Her parents recognized this potential immediately. Additionally, Yongin’s strong golfing culture provided an ideal environment for her development. The young talent advanced rapidly through junior competitions.
Unlike many professionals, Somi bypassed collegiate golf entirely. This unconventional path reflected her confidence and readiness. Instead, she focused exclusively on preparing for professional challenges. Consequently, she turned professional in 2018 at just 19 years old. This bold decision would soon prove remarkably rewarding.
Professional journey showcases remarkable talent and perseverance
Somi Lee’s professional career began on the Korean LPGA Tour in 2019. She joined an exceptionally talented rookie class. Her debut season exceeded all expectations. Impressively, she finished 14th on the money list with nearly 439 million won. Her consistency included two runner-up finishes against established veterans.
Perhaps her most impressive rookie achievement came at the BMW Championship. There, Lee competed directly against international stars. She ultimately finished fourth in this joint LPGA/KLPGA event. This performance caught the attention of the broader golf world. It suggested her talents extended well beyond Korea.
The 2020 pandemic shortened the KLPGA season significantly. Nevertheless, Lee seized every opportunity. Finally, she captured her first victory in October at the Huen Care Women’s Open. This breakthrough win validated her career choice. Moreover, it positioned her among Korea’s most promising young talents. She collected seven top tens that season.
Somi’s trajectory continued upward in 2021 with extraordinary results. She won twice that year. First came the Lotte Rent-a-Car Open. Then she captured the Dayouwinia Women’s Open. Additionally, she accumulated twelve top-ten finishes throughout the season. Her earnings exceeded 758 million won, placing her sixth on the money list.
An eagle a day keeps the scorecard scaries away
SoMi Lee’s hole out gets her to -6 under! pic.twitter.com/rQHfNm7c0m
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 26, 2025
The 2022 season brought even more success for the rising star. Lee won back-to-back tournaments late in the year. She claimed both the SK Networks Ladies Classic and the S-OIL Championship. These victories increased her win total to five in just four seasons. Furthermore, she maintained her position among the KLPGA’s elite. Her earnings reached 736 million won, good for seventh place.
Beyond her tournament successes, Somi built meaningful friendships on tour. In one memorable instance, she served as caddie for her good friend Ayean Cho. This gesture demonstrated her supportive character. Meanwhile, she began testing international waters. She finished fifth at the LPGA’s Lotte Championship in Hawaii. She also made her major championship debut at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Current performance signals a bright future on the global stage.
The fall of 2023 marked a turning point in Lee’s career when she entered the LPGA Q-Series seeking her tour card. She performed brilliantly throughout the qualifier, finishing tied for second despite a weaker final round. This impressive result secured her status for the 2024 LPGA season. Her rookie year showcased remarkable adaptability, with her best finish coming at the Portland Classic (T5). She placed fifth in the Rookie of the Year race, building a solid foundation for her LPGA career. Her official career earnings now stand at an impressive $742.4 K.
The 2025 season demonstrates Somi’s continued growth with seven cuts in eight starts so far. Her earnings have reached $239,400, ranking her 41st in the Race to CME Globe with 273.792 CME points. Her tournament results reflect consistency across different venues: T12 at the Black Desert Championship (66-66-74-69), T24 at the Chevron Championship, T20 at the JM Eagle LA Championship, and a low round of 66 showing her scoring potential.
Lee’s international performances include T22 at Blue Bay LPGA, T41 at Honda LPGA Thailand, and most recently T13 at the Founders Cup. Despite a T58 at T-Mobile Match Play, she rebounded with a T27 at the Ford Championship. Beyond individual play, she demonstrated leadership by captaining Team Somi Lee to victory at the 2025 PIF Saudi Ladies International, showcasing her growing influence in women’s golf.
Somi Lee’s journey from Yongin City to global competition exemplifies determination while maintaining cultural pride. She continues building her career with patient consistency, yet never forgets her Korean roots. Her story reminds us that success requires both ambition and authenticity. With her steady improvement and well-rounded game, her trajectory suggests many more achievements await in this remarkable golfing story.
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