South Korean golfer Mirim Lee has established herself as one of the most resilient players on the LPGA Tour. Her journey from the developmental tours in Korea to winning a major championship has been marked by determination and exceptional talent.
In this article, you will know Lee’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, and more about her professional and personal life.
Mirim Lee’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mirim Lee (Lee Mi-rim) |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1990 |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Turned Professional | 2009 |
| Net Worth | $4.8 million |
| Career Earnings | $4,844,847 |
| LPGA Tour Debut | 2014 |
Early Career
Mirim Lee turned professional in 2009 and began her career on the Korean LPGA’s developmental tour. Her early years were challenging as she worked to establish herself in professional golf. In 2010, she graduated to the main KLPGA tour and finished 40th on the money list with her best finish being a tie for 9th.
The breakthrough came in 2011 when Lee surprised the tour by winning the S-OIL Champions for her first professional victory. Though it was her only win that year, she also had a runner-up finish at the Hite Cup and finished 13th on the money list. This success laid the foundation for her future achievements and demonstrated her potential as a professional golfer.
Lee continued building momentum in 2012 with an even better season. The highlight was winning the Korean Women’s Open in August, outlasting both Ha Neul Kim and Hye Youn Kim in the final round to claim her first major trophy on the Korean tour.
She finished 7th on the 2012 money list with nearly 287 million won earned and also competed in the Evian Masters, where she achieved her best LPGA finish to date at that time with a tie for 24th.
Professional Career
Lee’s focus shifted to earning an LPGA Tour card in 2013, though she continued playing KLPGA events. Her standout performance came at the KG EDaily Ladies Open in April, where she defeated top players Ha Na Jang and Hyo Joo Kim after chipping in a birdie on the 17th hole in the final round. She finished second at the 2013 LPGA Qualifying School to earn membership for 2014.
Her LPGA Tour rookie season in 2014 proved highly successful. Lee won two tournaments that year: the Meijer LPGA Classic and the Reignwood LPGA Classic. She finished 14th on the money list with $933,849 in earnings and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year. Her victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic was particularly memorable as she defeated fellow South Korean Inbee Park in a playoff.
Lee’s crowning achievement came at the 2020 ANA Inspiration, where she won her first major championship. After trailing by two shots entering the final round, she chipped in for eagle on the 18th hole to force a three-way playoff with Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson. She then birdied the first playoff hole to claim the victory, celebrating by jumping into Poppie’s Pond with her caddie.
Who is her caddie?
Throughout her career, Mirim Lee has worked with different caddies. During her major championship victory at the 2020 ANA Inspiration, her caddie was Matt Gelczis. Gelczis became famous for his spectacular belly flop into Poppie’s Pond alongside Lee after her victory.
The caddie-player duo had strategically used the tournament’s “Big Blue Wall” backstop to their advantage on the final hole, with Gelczis admitting their plan was to hit the ball into the structure for a favorable drop.
In earlier tournaments, Lee worked with John Killeen, who was her caddie during the 2016 US Women’s Open Championship where she shot an opening round 64. The professional relationship between Lee and her caddies has been instrumental in her success on tour.
Mirim Lee’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Mirim Lee’s estimated net worth is $4.8 million.
Career Earnings
| Year | Official Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2014 | $933,849 |
| 2015N/A | |
| 2016 | N/A |
| 2017 | $270,000+ |
| 2018 | N/A |
| 2019 | N/A |
| 2020 | $465,000+ |
| Career Total | $4,844,847 |
Endorsements
Lee has secured endorsement deals throughout her career, including partnerships with Kia Motors, which was particularly notable during her participation in the Kia Classic tournaments. She has also been associated with Titleist, using their Pro V1x golf balls during her victories.
Additionally, Lee has had sponsorship arrangements with NH Financial, which has provided financial backing throughout her professional career. These endorsement deals contribute significantly to her overall income beyond tournament prize money.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| LPGA Tour Wins | 4 |
| Major Championships | 1 (2020 ANA Inspiration) |
| Career Top 10s | 27 |
| Career Top 25s | 61 |
| Best Scoring Average | 70.41 (2017) |
| Lowest Round | 62 (twice) |
| Career Events | 179 |
| Rookie Year | 2014 |
FAQs
1. What is Mirim Lee’s nationality and which golf tour does she primarily compete on?
Lee is a South Korean professional golfer who primarily plays on the LPGA Tour, where she has earned global recognition for her tournament victories and consistent performances.
2. When did Lee turn professional, and what were her early career highlights?
She turned professional in 2009, quickly winning on the KLPGA Tour and earning the Rookie of the Year award after notching several victories in her debut season.
3. How many LPGA Tour titles has Lee won, and which are the most significant?
Lee has won multiple LPGA Tour events, including the 2020 ANA Inspiration, which is a major championship, marking the biggest win of her career.
4. What is Lee’s biggest win on the global stage, and how did she achieve it?
Her most significant victory is the 2020 ANA Inspiration, where she staged a dramatic closing round and triumphed in a playoff to secure her first major championship.
5. What are Lee’s strengths and playing characteristics on the golf course?
Lee is known for her clutch putting, ability to stay calm under pressure, and willingness to take aggressive lines on approach shots, often leading to low scores in big events.
6. Has Lee represented South Korea in international golf competitions?
She has represented South Korea in team events like the International Crown and other global tournaments, bringing pride to her home country with strong results.
7. How do coaches and golf analysts view Lee’s skills and career outlook?
Coaches praise her focus and mental strength, while analysts often cite her ability to contend in majors and her superb ball-striking as reasons for her ongoing success.
8. Has Lee experienced setbacks or breaks in her golf career?
Lee has faced periods of inconsistency and minor injuries but has always rebounded with renewed effort, highlighted by returning to the winner’s circle at premier LPGA events.
9. What is Lee’s reputation among peers and how does she handle high-pressure situations?
Peers admire her calm demeanor, sportsmanship, and the confidence she displays in high-pressure playoff situations, helping her secure victories at the highest level.
10. What are Lee’s future goals as her professional golf career continues?
Lee aims to add more major championships, maintain a strong presence on the LPGA Tour, and inspire young golfers in South Korea and around the world with her achievements.
