Danielle Kang
Danielle Kang | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() Kang at the 2013 Women's British Open | |||
Personal information | |||
Full name | Danielle Grace Kang[1] | ||
Born | San Francisco, California, U.S. | October 20, 1992||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Sporting nationality | ![]() | ||
Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | ||
Career | |||
College | Pepperdine University (two years) | ||
Turned professional | 2011 | ||
Current tour(s) | LPGA Tour (joined 2012) | ||
Professional wins | 6 | ||
Number of wins by tour | |||
LPGA Tour | 6 | ||
Best results in LPGA major championships (wins: 1) | |||
Chevron Championship | T6: 2019 | ||
Women's PGA C'ship | Won: 2017 | ||
U.S. Women's Open | 4th: 2018 | ||
Women's British Open | T32: 2020 | ||
Evian Championship | T18: 2017 | ||
Achievements and awards | |||
|
Danielle Grace Kang (born October 20, 1992) is an American professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour. As an amateur, she won the U.S. Women's Amateur twice, in 2010 and 2011. She won the 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, an LPGA major.
Early life, college and amateur career
[edit]Kang was born on October 20, 1992, in San Francisco. She grew up in Southern California, and qualified for the U.S. Women's Open as a 14-year-old in 2007. She began high school at Oak Park High School and later transferred to Westlake High School early to begin college at Pepperdine University in Malibu in the spring of 2010. Kang played extensively as a junior golfer with the Southern California PGA Junior Tour alongside fellow SCPGA alumni such as Lizette Salas and Brianna Do.
Kang played on the Pepperdine golf team through the regular season in the spring of 2011. She was ruled academically ineligible to compete in the 2011 NCAA post-season and stated that she was not disappointed because "Pepperdine is in the past for me. I'm focusing on the future. Turning pro after the U.S. Women's Amateur."[2][3]
Kang won the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2010 and competed in all four majors as an amateur in 2011. She made the cut in three of the majors, including the LPGA Championship, where she was the only non-professional in the field.[4] Kang was the low amateur at the Women's British Open, finishing in a tie for 49th place. She repeated her win at the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2011 in August to become the first player in 15 years to win consecutive titles.[5]
Professional career
[edit]Kang played her first tournament as a professional at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, in September 2011. She entered on a sponsor's exemption and missed the cut.[6] Kang entered the 2011 LPGA Qualifying School. She survived Stage II, shooting +5 (73-74-71-75=293), just inside the cut line to qualify for the final stage.[7] She finished the final stage, Stage III, of Q-School tied for 39th. This gave her conditional status (Priority List Category 20) on the LPGA Tour for 2012[8]
Kang played 19 events on the LPGA Tour in 2012, making 13 cuts and finishing the season with $239,184 in earnings, putting her 52nd on the official LPGA season-ending money list. This qualified her for full status on the LPGA Tour in 2013.
Kang earned her first LPGA Tour win, 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, in her 144th LPGA Tour start. On October 21, 2018, Kang won the inaugural Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament by two strokes to earn her second career victory. The tournament was held at Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai, China.[9] In October 2019, Kang repeated as champion of the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
On August 2, 2020, Kang won the LPGA Drive On Championship at Inverness Club in Ohio. This was the LPGA's first tournament back after a six-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] One week later, Kang won her 5th LPGA Tour event at the Marathon Classic.
Kang won the 2020 Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.[11]
On January 23, 2022, Kang won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida.[12]
Kang narrowly missed a rare back-to-back wins starting a new LPGA season, when her longtime friend Lydia Ko beat her by one stroke in the January 27–30 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio tournament. They were tied at 12-under after the 14th hole in the fourth round, when Ko made a birdie at the 15th to take the lead, and both birdied the 16th; then both parred the final two holes.[13] She earned $184,255 to Ko's $300,000.
Kang stopped playing on the tour after announcing at the end of the 2022 U.S. Women's Open on June 5, she had a tumor on her spine. She returned to competition at the CP Women's Open on August 25, after treatment.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Kang is a Korean-American born to South Korean parents K.S. Kang and Grace Lee. Her brother Alex played golf for San Diego State.[15] In 2018, she began a relationship with professional golfer Maverick McNealy, who also lives in Las Vegas, but this relationship ended in 2021.[16][17]
Professional wins (6)
[edit]LPGA Tour wins (6)
[edit]Legend |
---|
LPGA Tour major championships (1) |
Other LPGA Tour (5) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jul 2, 2017 | KPMG Women's PGA Championship | −13 (69-66-68-68=271) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
2 | Oct 21, 2018 | Buick LPGA Shanghai | −13 (67-68-71-69=275) | 2 strokes | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
3 | Oct 20, 2019 | Buick LPGA Shanghai (2) | −16 (69-67-66-70=272) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
4 | Aug 2, 2020 | LPGA Drive On Championship | −7 (66-73-70=209) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
5 | Aug 9, 2020 | Marathon Classic | −15 (64-67-70-68=269) | 1 stroke | ![]() ![]() |
6 | Jan 23, 2022 | Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions | −16 (68-67-69-68=272) | 3 strokes | ![]() |
LPGA Tour playoff record (0–3)
No. | Year | Tournament | Opponents | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2019 | BMW Ladies Championship | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on third extra hole |
2 | 2021 | Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
3 | 2022 | Walmart NW Arkansas Championship | ![]() |
Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
Major championships
[edit]Wins (1)
[edit]Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Women's PGA Championship | Tied for lead | −13 (69-66-68-68=271) | 1 stroke | ![]() |
Results timeline
[edit]Results not in chronological order.
Tournament | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | CUT | CUT | T61 | T26 | T26 | T47 | CUT | T6 | T11 | |||||
Women's PGA Championship | T50 | CUT | T22 | T25 | CUT | T46 | 1 | T33 | T5 | T33 | ||||
U.S. Women's Open | CUT | 64 | T68 | T14 | CUT | T59 | T47 | T17 | CUT | 4 | CUT | T52 | ||
The Evian Championship ^ | T31 | CUT | T59 | T30 | T18 | CUT | CUT | NT | ||||||
Women's British Open | T49 | CUT | T42 | CUT | T56 | CUT | CUT | CUT | T41 | T32 |
Tournament | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | 13 | T17 | T28 | CUT |
U.S. Women's Open | T35 | T63 | CUT | T51 |
Women's PGA Championship | T5 | T39 | CUT | |
The Evian Championship | CUT | |||
Women's British Open | CUT | T69 |
^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.
CUT = missed the half-way cut
NT = no tournament
T = tied
Summary
[edit]Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chevron Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 9 |
U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 11 |
Women's PGA Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 10 |
The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
Totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 62 | 40 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 7 (2020 ANA – 2021 WPGA)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (five times)
LPGA Tour career summary
[edit]Year | Tournaments played |
Cuts made* |
Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top 10s | Best finish |
Earnings ($) |
Money list rank |
Scoring average |
Scoring rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | MC | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2011 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T49 | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2012 | 19 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | T3 | 239,184 | 52 | 72.39 | 50 |
2013 | 24 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T5 | 221,649 | 57 | 72.18 | 54 |
2014 | 27 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | T5 | 316,239 | 51 | 72.46 | 82 |
2015 | 26 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T5 | 292,579 | 62 | 71.72 | 44 |
2016 | 27 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | T4 | 505,316 | 36 | 71.12 | 31 |
2017 | 25 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1,005,983 | 17 | 71.05 | 42 |
2018 | 25 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1,135,441 | 11 | 70.85 | 27 |
2019 | 21 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1,511,443 | 9 | 70.07 | 13 |
2020 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 897,872 | 4 | 70.08 | 4 |
2021 | 21 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 902,244 | 18 | 69.83 | 10 |
2022 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1,039,239 | 25 | 69.72 | 9 |
2023 | 20 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | T3 | 459,154 | 61 | 71.47 | 73 |
Totals^ | 272 | 212 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 57 | 1 | 8,526,343 | 36 |
* Includes matchplay and other events without a cut.
World ranking
[edit]Position in Women's World Golf Rankings at the end of each calendar year.
Year | Ranking | Source |
---|---|---|
2010 | 404 | [21] |
2011 | 341 | [22] |
2012 | 106 | [23] |
2013 | 97 | [24] |
2014 | 111 | [25] |
2015 | 98 | [26] |
2016 | 68 | [27] |
2017 | 21 | [28] |
2018 | 18 | [29] |
2019 | 4 | [30] |
2020 | 5 | [31] |
2021 | 11 | [32] |
2022 | 16 | [33] |
2023 | 48 | [34] |
U.S. national team appearances
[edit]Amateur
Professional
- Solheim Cup: 2017 (winners), 2019, 2021, 2023
- International Crown: 2023
Solheim Cup record
[edit]Year | Total matches |
Total W–L–H |
Singles W–L–H |
Foursomes W–L–H |
Fourballs W–L–H |
Points won |
Points % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career | 16 | 7–9–0 | 2–2–0 | 3–4–0 | 2–3–0 | 7 | 43.8 |
2017 | 4 | 3–1–0 | 1–0–0 def. E. Pedersen 3&1 | 1–1–0 won w/ L. Salas 1 up, lost w/ M. Wie 2&1 |
1–0–0 won w/ M. Wie 3&1 | 3 | 75.0 |
2019 | 4 | 1–3–0 | 0–1–0 lost to C. Ciganda 1 up | 0–1–0 lost w/ M. Khang 4&3 | 1–1–0 lost w/ L. Salas 4&2, won w/ L. Salas 2&1 |
1 | 25.0 |
2021 | 4 | 1–3–0 | 0–1–0 lost to E. Pedersen 1 dn | 1–1–0 lost w/ A. Ernst 1 dn won w/ A. Ernst 1 up |
0–1–0 lost w/ A. Ernst 3&2 | 1 | 25.0 |
2023 | 4 | 2-2-0 | 1-0-0 def. C. Hull 4&2 | 1-1-0 won w/ A. Lee 1 up lost w/ A. Lee 1 dn |
0-1-0 lost w/ L. Vu 2&1 | 2 | 50.0 |
References
[edit]- ^ California Birth Index
- ^ Miller, Eli (May 2011). "Report: Kang will turn professional after 2011 U.S. Women's Amateur". Southland Golf Magazine. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "5 things: Grades to keep Kang from postseason". Golfweek. May 4, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "2011 Wegmans LPGA Championship" (PDF). LPGA. Retrieved June 5, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Danielle Kang Defends Women's Amateur Title". USGA. August 14, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "Yani Tseng putting together a special year". ESPN. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 22, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "LPGA Qualifying Tournament Stage II Final Round Results". LPGA. September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament: Final Results". LPGA. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
- ^ Levins, Keely (October 21, 2018). "Danielle Kang wins Buick LPGA Shanghai by two, her second career victory". Golf Digest. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
- ^ "Danielle Kang closes with 70 to win LPGA's return". ESPN. Associated Press. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "Danielle Kang Wins the 2020 Vare Trophy". LPGA. December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Winless in '21, Kang starts new LPGA year with win". TSN.ca. Associated Press. January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ "Lydia Ko outduels Danielle Kang for Gainbridge LPGA title". Golf Channel. Associated Press. January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Danielle Kang Announces Return". LPGA. August 9, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Golf: Alex Kang". San Diego State athletics. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
- ^ "Golf's newest power couple: LPGA's Kang, Web.com Tour's McNealy". Golf Channel. January 19, 2019.
- ^ Dabbs, Ryan (August 13, 2021). "Who Is Danielle Kang's Boyfriend?". Golf Monthly. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ "Danielle Kang stats". LPGA. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Danielle Kang results". LPGA. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Career Money". LPGA. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2010.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2013.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2015.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2016.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2017.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 31, 2018.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 27, 2021.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Women's World Golf Rankings". December 25, 2023.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Danielle Kang at the LPGA Tour official site
- Danielle Kang at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site
- Danielle Kang results at Yahoo! Sports
- Profile at Pepperdine Athletics site
- American female golfers
- LPGA Tour golfers
- Winners of LPGA major golf championships
- Solheim Cup competitors for the United States
- Winners of ladies' major amateur golf championships
- Olympic golfers for the United States
- Golfers at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Pepperdine Waves women's golfers
- Golfers from San Francisco
- American sportspeople of Korean descent
- Sportspeople from Thousand Oaks, California
- 1992 births
- Westlake High School (California) alumni
- Living people
- 21st-century American sportswomen