You can do it: With 13-month-old son in tow, Alison Lee tied for U.S. Women’s Open lead Alison Lee, 31, is navigating the U.S. Women’s Open with a unique blend of determination and maternal focus, as she leads the tournament alongside Ruoning Yin after two rounds. The Las Vegas native, who gave birth to her son Levi in April 2024, is balancing her golf career with the demands of motherhood, relying on her parents to care for Levi during her tournament run. Lee’s journey to this moment has been marked by resilience, as she competes in her hometown major championship just seven months postpartum. Lee’s performance at Riviera Country Club has been a mix of precision and emotional strength. On Friday, she managed a second-round 3-under 68, moving her to 4 under par. Her son, Levi, has become both a distraction and a source of motivation. Lee admitted to micromanaging Levi’s care, often worrying about whether her parents are feeding him or if he’s sleeping well. During the Chevron Championship last month, Levi’s enthusiastic shouts of “Ball!” during her backswing brought a moment of levity, though Lee was relieved the distraction didn’t interfere with her play. The tournament has also tested Lee’s physical and mental endurance. At the JM Eagle LA Championship, her ball speed dipped to 135 mph due to overexertion, yet she still managed a tie for 13th. Her current form at Riviera, however, shows progress. Despite missing half her fairways and greens on Thursday, Lee fought to shoot under par, showcasing her gritty approach. A standout moment came on the par-4 second hole, where she recovered from a tree-impeded drive by punching out to 116 yards and holing a 6-footer for par. Lee’s path to this point has been anything but straightforward.#las_vegas #ruoning_yin #alison_lee #u_s_women_s_open #julie_inkster
US Women's Open: New Mum Lee and Yin Share Lead Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin shared the lead at the US Women's Open after a second-round performance that saw both players finish at four-under-par. Lee, a Los Angeles native, carded a three-under 68 at Riviera Country Club, while Yin posted a second consecutive bogey-free 69. The pair’s combined effort placed them one stroke ahead of the rest of the field, with Jennifer Kupcho and Hinako Shibuno among those in joint-third on three-under. Lee, who missed all five majors in 2025 due to maternity leave, is competing under the USGA’s deferred maternity leave exemption. This policy allows players who have earned a spot in a USGA championship to defer their participation, enabling them to return to competition after taking time off. Lee’s son, Levi, was present at the course with her partner, adding a personal touch to her return to the sport. The 31-year-old expressed her excitement about the opportunity to compete in front of friends and family, noting that the experience felt different from her early career. “I feel like I just did a really good job at grinding these last couple of days,” Lee said. “The front nine [in the first round]—if you told me I would be leading going into Saturday, I would have thought you were crazy because I missed a bunch of fairways and greens. It’s so exciting. My first couple years on tour, there was probably a lot of pressure. Now to be able to play in front of friends and family is really special.” Yin, who claimed her sole major title at the 2023 PGA Championship, acknowledged the challenges of the US Open. “I had a lot of stress today,” she said. “It’s US Open, it’s meant to be tough. You can’t really have a stress-free moment on the course until it’s all done. I think the stress and the pressure, it’s also a privilege.#nelly_korda #ruoning_yin #alison_lee #us_womens_open #riviera_country_club
Jeeno Thitikul Claims LPGA Title at Mizuho Americas Open, Sets Career Earnings Record Jeeno Thitikul secured her ninth LPGA victory at the Mizuho Americas Open, marking another milestone in her career. The 23-year-old Thai star claimed the title with a final-round performance that included a birdie on the 18th hole at Mountain Ridge Country Club, finishing four strokes ahead of her close friend Ruoning Yin. Her first-place prize of $487,500 brought her total career earnings to over $18 million, making her the fastest player in LPGA history to reach that figure. Thitikul previously held the record for the fastest to surpass $8 million and $16 million in earnings. “I mean the world to me,” Thitikul said after her victory, reflecting on her success at the Mizuho Americas Open. The tournament, hosted by Michelle Wie West, emphasized a player-centric experience, offering additional perks beyond the $3.25 million purse. Players received free accommodations courtesy of Mizuho and complimentary transportation provided by Ford. Additional player gifts included $250 gift cards to Delta and Starbucks, with LPGA moms receiving a $1,000 Starbucks card, as Wie West highlighted the importance of caffeine for all mothers. The tournament’s prize money distribution was detailed in a comprehensive breakdown. The top finishers received the following earnings: Jeeno Thitikul earned $487,500 for her victory, while Ruoning Yin took second place with $306,558. Multiple players tied for third place, earning $161,544 each, including Jenny Bae, Alison Lee, Gaby Lopez, and Hye-Jin Choi. Lower positions saw progressively smaller payouts, with players like Jenny Shin and Allisen Corpuz earning $88,955 each for their T7 finishes.#mizuho #mizuho_americas_open #jeeno_thitikul #ruoning_yin #michelle_wie_west
