Alison Lee Aims for Hometown Glory at U.S. Women’s Open

LOS ANGELES — For Alison Lee, the pressure is palpable as she vies for a significant milestone in her career. After welcoming her son, Levi, in April 2022, Lee returned to the LPGA Tour fueled by the ambition to secure her first professional win in nearly a decade. Despite past successes in junior golf and college at UCLA, she has yet to clinch a title on the LPGA, and the clock is ticking as she considers expanding her family.

Currently competing in the 81st U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club, just miles from her hometown of Valencia, Lee finds herself in a favorable position. Following a solid second-round performance that saw her shoot a three-under-par 68, she is tied for the lead at four under alongside Ruoning Yin. Both players managed to navigate challenging afternoon conditions, with only eight competitors finishing the round in the 60s.

In her post-round interview, Lee discussed the challenges of balancing motherhood with her professional aspirations. Her partner, Trey Kidd, was present with Levi, allowing Lee to focus on her game. When asked about the possibility of having another child, she expressed concern about the difficulties of returning to competitive golf: “If I were to have another baby, I think it would be 10 times more difficult to try and come back and play.” She is determined to make the most of the upcoming year, aiming to play her best golf without regrets.

Lee's return to the tour has been gradual; she only made her season debut in April. Notably, she achieved a tie for 13th in her first outing at the JM Eagle LA Championship and followed that with a strong showing at the Mizuho Americas Open, finishing tied for third. Reflecting on her game, she stated, “I feel like my game's in a really good spot,” emphasizing the importance of patience and strategy on difficult courses like Riviera.

After her initial struggles post-baby, Lee has grown more confident, although she admitted to feeling overwhelmed early on. Support from golf veterans like Juli Inkster has been invaluable. “You got it. You're good at this. You can do it,” Lee recalled Inkster encouraging her, hoping to emulate her success as a mother and professional golfer.

As Lee prepares for her next round, she is acutely aware of the support she has in the area, not just from family and friends but also from her UCLA connections. With a chance to win in front of a home crowd, she is optimistic about her opportunities. When asked if she dreams of winning the U.S. Open, she replied without hesitation, “Yeah, of course. I’m still seeking my first tour win, and to do it in my backyard would be cool.”