WONJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA| Though she leads the competition by two strokes through 36 holes, Andrea Lee, a Korean American born and raised in California, is focusing on experiences outside the ropes just as much as her time on the course. The BMW Ladies Championship is Andrea’s first time playing in the Republic of Korea and her first time back in the country since 2019.
“I love coming back to Korea,” Lee said after her round on Thursday. “This is my first time playing golf here. It’s super exciting. The fans here are crazy about golf. They are so passionate. I can feel their energy on every hole.
“It’s just been great. I’ve been enjoying the food, the culture, everything. Coming back as an LPGA winner is really special, too.”
Andrea is far from the only player of Korean descent playing under a different flag in this week’s field. She is joined by fellow Americans Alison Lee and Danielle Kang, as well as New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Australia’s Minjee Lee. All are relishing the opportunity to spend time with family and enjoying the fan presence.
While Andrea has her parents by her side this week and has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the country, there’s still one thing missing: her grandpa. The 91-year-old has yet to make a trip out to the course, but Andrea hopes to see him on Sunday. With the hills at Oak Valley Country Club, she’s not sure if he’ll be walking with her, but just seeing him is enough.
“He didn’t come today but we’ll probably see him maybe later this week or next week,” Lee said. “The last time I saw him was three years ago, before the pandemic. That’s the last time we came to Korea. He’s getting old, so going to try to see him as much as possible.”
Alison, T17 at 4-under par, also has her parents with her and plans on enjoying plenty of time with them off the course.
“I love playing in Korea,” Alison said Thursday. “My mom’s here this week, and my dad’s coming on Saturday. My dad hasn't been to Korea in like 15 years, and they were both born here. So, it’s really nice to be here and spend time with them.”
Ko, who is tied for fifth at minus 8, was born in Seoul and immigrated with her parents to New Zealand when she was a toddler. She still feels an affinity for her birth country and has found being back in Korea motivates her on the course.
“I’m proud to be born in Seoul,” Ko said after her round on Friday. “I lived my first few early years here in Korea. Every time I come back here, I’m super excited and there’s a part of me that really wants to play well because I don’t really come here very often. This is my birth country and it’s always going to be a special place. Even though I play under the New Zealand flag, I think Korea is such a special place for me, and a hometown to my parents as well.”
Ko also has plenty of extended family still based in Seoul, about two hours west of the Oak Valley Country Club. Being so close to home Ko expects the crowd following her to grow over the weekend, but – like Andrea – she has already been enjoying the throngs of fans on the course this week.
“I think Korean people love golf and love the LPGA,” Ko said. “Because we don't come here often, it’s a one-time and an annual thing, I think that's what excites them and that’s what excites us to come back.”
With all the motivation for players like Andrea, Alison and Ko to draw from this week, they will surely have a great time on the course. But what’s more important is the memories they’ll make with family and friends, on or off the course.
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