Mirim Lee, soon to be 30-year-old from South Korea, was non-existent on the LPGA Tour in the limited number of events this season. In fact, before the ANA Inspiration Lee missed the cut at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in late August. Things changed quickly for the 94th ranked player in the world. Mimi swept in from behind to eagle the 72nd hole at the ANA Inspiration and won on the first playoff hole. In doing so, she recorded her first major tournament victory.
Lee started her playing golf at the age of 11 and credits her father as the biggest influence on her career. Also enjoying professional baseball, the 5’ 6” Lee turned professional in 2009 and joined the KLPGA’s development tour. Lee was a rookie on the LPGA of Korea Tour in 2010 with her best finish at tied for ninth.
Lee got into the winner’s circle for the first time as a professional the following year at the S-Oil Champions and also recorded a tie for second, finishing the season 13th on the money list. In 2012, Lee accomplished her biggest feat to that point, winning her first major at the Korean Women’s Open. In addition, she had five top-ten finishes and placed seventh on the money list.
The 2013 season saw Lee earn her third career victory on the LPGA of Korea Tour. She posted a 61 in the third round of the 2013 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, which helped her to a second-place finish. In doing so, Lee earned Priority Category 12 for the 2014 LPGA Tour season.
Lee became a winner on the LPGA Tour for the first time in her rookie season, winning at the Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft. Making a name for herself, Lee made 43 cuts in 49 events during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, earning more than $1.6 million in the process.
A runner up finish at the RICOH Women’s British Open and five other top-ten finishes highlighted Lee’s 2016 season, in which she earned over $930,000. At the British Open she tied the low-round record with a 62. Lee earned her third LPGA title at the 2017 Kia Classic and finished the season with six more top-ten finishes and surpassed $3 million in career earnings.
The 2018 and 2019 seasons were a bit less successful for Lee. Although she made the cut in 36 of 48 tournaments she played with four top-ten finishes, Lee dropped out of the top 40 in earnings both seasons. Lee has surpassed $4 million in career earnings with a tie for 7th at the 2019 Women’s PGA Championship.
Lee currently has 26 top-ten finishes on the LPGA Tour and is ranked 13th for CME Race to the Globe.
