1. Early Life and Education
Jee-Young Lee was born on December 2, 1985, in Seoul, South Korea. She began her golf journey at the age of 14, developing the skills that would later define her professional career. For her education, Lee attended Naksaeng High School before continuing her studies at Yong-In University.
2. Professional Career
Jee-Young Lee embarked on her professional golf career in 2004, initially joining the LPGA of Korea Tour (KLPGA). Her early success on the domestic circuit quickly propelled her to the international stage, leading her to join the LPGA Tour in 2005.
2.1. KLPGA Tour
Lee officially became a member of the KLPGA Tour in 2004. Her notable achievements on the KLPGA Tour include winning the Taeyoung Cup Korea Women's Open in 2005. She further solidified her presence in Korean women's golf by winning the Shinsegae Cup 28th Korean Women's Professional Golf Championship in 2006.
2.2. LPGA Tour
Lee's primary focus shifted to the LPGA Tour, where she competed against the world's top golfers and achieved several significant accomplishments.
2.2.1. Debut and First LPGA Tour Win
Jee-Young Lee's breakthrough moment on the international stage came in 2005 when she secured her first LPGA Tour victory at the CJ Nine Bridges Classic held in Jeju Island, South Korea. As a KLPGA member at the time, her victory was particularly impactful, earning her direct entry onto the LPGA Tour. She finished the tournament with a score of five-under-par 211 (65-73-73), securing a three-stroke margin of victory over formidable competitors such as Mi-Hyun Kim of South Korea and Carin Koch of Sweden.
2.2.2. Major Championship Results
Lee consistently participated in the LPGA Tour's major championships, demonstrating her competitive prowess. She achieved several strong finishes in these prestigious events:
| Tournament | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | T56 | T13 | T21 | 20 | T40 | CUT | CUT | T32 | T16 | CUT |
| Women's PGA Championship | T14 | T10 | T18 | T65 | CUT | CUT | CUT | Did not play | CUT | T49 |
| U.S. Women's Open | T10 | 7 | T13 | WD | T25 | CUT | Did not play | Did not play | T38 | Did not play |
| Women's British Open | T22 | T2 | T17 | CUT | T62 | CUT | Did not play | T36 | T58 | Did not play |
| The Evian Championship ^ | Did not play | WD | CUT | Did not play | ||||||
^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.
Summary of her Major Championship performances:
| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 7 |
| Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 5 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Women's British Open | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 6 |
| The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 36 | 23 |
Her best finishes in majors included a tied second place at the 2007 Women's British Open, a seventh-place finish at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open, and a tied tenth place at the 2007 LPGA Championship. She also maintained a strong record of consecutive cuts made, with her longest streak being 14 (from 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship to 2009 LPGA Championship), and a notable streak of three consecutive top-10 finishes (from 2007 LPGA Championship to 2007 British Open).
2.2.3. Other Notable Achievements
Beyond her major championship results, Lee achieved several other significant results on the LPGA Tour, including multiple runner-up finishes. She reached second place (or tied for second) in the 2007 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, the 2007 Fields Open, the 2008 Safeway International, and the 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open. Her only LPGA Tour playoff appearance was at the 2007 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, where she lost to Suzann Pettersen of Norway on the third extra hole after both tied for the lead.
2.2.4. Playing Style
Jee-Young Lee was particularly known for her exceptional long-hitting ability, earning her a reputation as a "first-generation long-hitter" among Korean women golfers. In 2006, she recorded an average driving distance of 275.1 yd, ranking fourth on the LPGA Tour for that year. Her driving accuracy continued to impress, as she ranked second in average driving distance in 2007.
2.3. Team Appearances
Jee-Young Lee represented the Asia team in the Lexus Cup, an international team competition. She was a member of the winning Asia team in both the 2006 Lexus Cup and the 2007 Lexus Cup.
3. Career Statistics
Jee-Young Lee's professional career statistics on the LPGA Tour are detailed below, reflecting her participation, performance, and earnings from 2005 to 2015.
| Year | Tournaments played | Cuts made | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top 10s | Best finish | Earnings ($) | Money list rank | Scoring average | Scoring rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 208.48 K USD | n/a | 72.14 | n/a |
| 2006 | 25 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | T2 | 575.13 K USD | 20 | 71.46 | 18 |
| 2007 | 24 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 966.26 K USD | 10 | 71.66 | 12 |
| 2008 | 28 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 795.99 K USD | 21 | 71.38 | 14 |
| 2009 | 25 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | T3 | 358.71 K USD | 37 | 71.88 | 33 |
| 2010 | 20 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | T2 | 589.78 K USD | 19 | 71.26 | 16 |
| 2011 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T33 | 22.58 K USD | 116 | 73.97 | 106 |
| 2012 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T12 | 68.65 K USD | 90 | 72.35 | 48 |
| 2013 | 21 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T4 | 172.69 K USD | 65 | 72.37 | 61 |
| 2014 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T16 | 74.84 K USD | 101 | 73.15 | 126 |
| 2015 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T25 | 75.47 K USD | 97 | 71.88 | 54 |
These statistics are official as of the 2015 season.
4. Assessment and Legacy
Jee-Young Lee's professional golf career is marked by her significant impact on the LPGA Tour, particularly as a prominent long-hitter within Korean women's golf. Her ability to consistently achieve high rankings in driving distance set her apart and contributed to her success. Lee's swift transition to the LPGA Tour following her 2005 CJ Nine Bridges Classic victory underscored her immense talent and readiness for international competition. Throughout her career, she demonstrated consistency, accumulating over 3.70 M USD in total LPGA earnings. Her achievements, including multiple top-10 finishes in major championships and consistent high placements, solidify her legacy as a respected and influential figure in professional golf.