USGA
Former LPGA winner’s comeback story gets boost by qualifying for U.S. Women’s Open
Ilhee Lee poses with her invitation to the 2025 U.S. Women's Open, earned at a qualifying site on Wednesday in California.
OJAI, Calif. — Ilhee Lee came agonizingly close to resurrecting a comeback at the U.S. Women’s Open last year. And the year before that.
Lee, who played on the LPGA Tour for nearly a decade and has one career victory, finished fourth in the U.S. Women’s Open qualifying last year at the Village Course in Waikoloa, Hawaii, three spots outside of a berth in the major, but nine shots behind the lone qualifier. In 2023, she also finished tied for fourth, four shots outside the two qualifying spots at Valencia Country Club in California.
This year, she left no doubt.
The 36-year-old Los Angeles resident, who had a shoulder injury that stalled her career for years, shot 69-68—137 to finish seven under Wednesday at Soule Park Golf Course. Lee was in first place most of the day but was overtaken by UC Irvine freshman Katelyn Kong, who shot nine under 69-66–135 to earn medalists honors. But Lee’s score earned the South Korean native the second of two qualifying spots into the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin later this month. The journeywoman is back.
“That would be amazing if I could win another [tournament],” she told Golf Digest. “It would be really cool if it was a U.S. Open.”
It’s been three years since Lee last played in a U.S. Women’s Open, a missed cut at Pine Needles in 2022. The U.S. Women’s Open is such a unique major that gives amateurs and pros alike a chance to start careers and others a chance at redemption.
Lee’s shining career moment was winning the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic in 2013, and she has 21 career top-10s. But injuries derailed big career plans.
Lee, shown in 2013 during her win at the Pure-Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, has been playing just four or five events in recent years as she tries to return to full health.
Sam Greenwood
She moved to Los Angeles from Dallas five years ago to rehabilitate her surgically repaired shoulder that has bothered her on and off for a decade. But it hasn’t kept her from being her best when the calendar turns to May for this most important major.
Lee made her U.S. Women’s Open debut in 2012 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis., and finished tied for fourth, her highest finish in a major.
“I have good memories in Wisconsin,” Lee said. “I had an Airbnb. I stayed in a Green Bay Packers room. The person we rented from was a Green Bay Packers fan and had a whole room of Green Bay Packers things. I was staying there and had all that good energy.”
She’s a Packers fan now and watches some games but certainly isn’t an NFL fanatic. She has yet to go to an NFL game. She had a Green Bay Packers coin with her, but that’s not the ball marker she used and had in her pocket on Wednesday.
“I used my Ocean Club one,” Lee said of her hallmarked she used for her win in the Bahamas. “This is the golf course I won in 2013. That is my lucky one.”
Lee's ball-marker also helps her remember a high point of her career as it's from the course where she won her lone LPGA title.
She won there on Paradise Island. It’s a special memory and she takes those good vibes with her.
As a veteran at these qualifiers, she’s reminded of her age often. This year she was paired with a 14-year-old. “She told me she was born in 2010, and I told her that was my rookie year,” Lee said with a smile.
Lee is an encourager and mentor around young golfers. She was encouraged by all the talent here and reminded a couple of players to sign their scorecard after their first 18 holes. This is hardly her first rodeo.
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As for majors, she had that great U.S. Women’s Open showing in 2012 and also tied for fourth at the Evian Championship in 2015. But Lee has played just 13 events over the last four years.
“It’s all because of my shoulder injury, and my back and my ankle hurts … they all hurt because of golf,” Lee said. “I’ve been playing four to five events every year. It’s a perfect amount for me, but I wish I could play a little more. It’s more fun now than stressful. Before, I was very stressed playing for nine years until I hurt my shoulder. I realized it’s not everything. I’m first before golf. Now it’s more fun. I play golf because it’s fun.”
Lee turned professional in 2006 and also played on the LPGA of Korea Tour. Fast forward to 2019, and she didn’t play at all due to injury. Asked what she learned, Lee said: “Golf isn’t my life. Just the job. It was big-time. Golf was everything for me. I loved golf growing up. I was crazy about it. My parents were like, it’s too much. But I was always like, ‘I want to do better, better, better.’ Now my life, myself, my body and my health are first. And then golf.”
As players finished on Wednesday, many talked about the aches and pains of walking 36 holes. Perhaps none felt the effects like Lee did. Lee played 36 holes at age 36, one hole for each year of life.
“That’s a lot of years,” she said laughing. “I’m sore in my feet, back, shoulder, knee everywhere, since the 20th hole. When I focus on golf, I don’t feel much pain, so I just keep going. U.S. Open qualifying is my favorite one.”
Off the course, Lee has co-founded a new indoor range called Supar. It’s set to open in two months.
“I’m building my own golf range. It’s an indoor range in K-town,” Lee said. “This is my 15th year on the LPGA Tour, and I’m injured, so I figured I should have some kind of golf business and indoor golf is popular right now. I love L.A., so I decided to build my own and have people come visit me and I practice there, too.”
Asked why she wanted to open it in Koreatown, she said: “Koreans love golf. I have a lot of friends in K-town. I love K-town. It’s a fun area. People come to K-town for food and fun. Golf is fun, so I figured it’s a perfect place to put the golf range.”
And the U.S. Women’s Open would be a perfect spot to contend again. “Oh yeah,” she said. “When I play, whatever the tournament is, I go there to win.”