Last names have sparked many conversations through the years. And this time at the NW Arkansas Championship, fans are once again left pondering the relationship between two golfers, Alison Lee and Somi Lee. While Alison is already an established name on the LPGA and LET circuits, however, 12 years younger, Somi is still claiming her spot. Now, The Arkansas Championship has brought both golfers to the same course, each showing strong performances. But also had raised the million-dollar question: what’s the relationship between the two Lees?

Well, turns out, there’s not much the two golfers share other than their last names. Alison and Somi both come from California. However, their lives couldn’t be more different. Born in Los Angeles in 1995, Alison is a seasoned pro with 2 wins on both the LPGA and LET circuits. In contrast, Somi is from Vacaville. Born in 2007, the 18-year-old is still an amateur, quickly rising through the ranks. There’s no doubt about that with Somi’s contention at the same level as Alison this week. Although the play was suspended due to harsh weather conditions, the leaderboards highlight the incredible shot-shaping that Somi is already showing, with a 7-under T4, one stroke behind the leading Alison.

Although they don’t share any family history, both players have one thing in common—innate talent. There’s no denying Alison has been nothing short of a prodigy. Representing UCLA during her collegiate run, Alison turned pro in 2014 and joined the LPGA in 2015. This came after an exceptional collegiate season in 2013-14, when she was ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 16 weeks. Since turning pro, Alison has had many ups and downs, hitting rock bottom before bouncing back. After a successful tour debut, Alison secured her spot in the Solheim Cup, winning her singles match. However, things went south from there.

After a career-high of 23, her form dipped, causing Alison’s rank to fall to 353 by 2018. That took a mental toll on the LPGA pro, who later revealed that she considered leaving professional golf amid these struggles. However, the ever-resilient Alison didn’t back down, with a fierce comeback in 2023. Alongside 3 runner-up finishes, Alison secured her spot in the Solheim Cup for the second time. Contributing significantly to Team USA’s win, Alison’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Now, returning to the golf course after just 18 weeks of giving birth, Alison continues to flaunt her immense strength.

While relatively new to the golf scene, Somi Lee’s journey has faced its own twists and turns. Somi turned pro in 2018 at just the age of 13. Despite being significantly younger than most on the field, Somi quickly made her mark on the greens. That increased the breadth of her golfing career, qualifying for the KLPGA tour in 2019. Carding a standout rookie year, Somi earned nearly 439 million won, including two runner-up finishes at the Hite Cup and a joint LPGA/KLPGA event, the BMW Championship.

Moving to the LPGA Tour, Somi earned her first LPGA title in 2025 at the Dow Championship. This victory marked a significant milestone in Somi’s career. However, she faced her own set of challenges and setbacks, including the transition from KLPGA to LPGA. It is clear from their journeys that both Alison and Somi Lee share talent, perseverance, and early success on the golf course, although they share no familial ties.

However, there might be one absolute thing the golfers share.

Alison Lee and Somi Lee’s shared heritage

Both golfers are from California, although their hometowns differ. Alison and Somi Lee draw their strength from a Korean heritage, emphasizing discipline and resilience. While born and raised in America, both golfers have attributed their heritage as a catalyst for their early success on the fields.

The Korean-American golfer, Alison, was shaped early on by her family—especially her father, Johnny Lee, who coached her from age six. Her Korean heritage instilled discipline, work ethic, and focus, which guided her rise in golf, while she continues to prioritize family and balance her professional and personal life. This foundation helped her bounce back off after she lost her LPGA card and regained it back. Her resilience shone through when he resurged back on the scene with her second LET title after a call from Captain Stacy Lewis about her exclusion from the team. “I was very heartbroken when Stacy gave me a call and had a conversation with me and told me I wasn’t on the team,” Alison said. “Yeah, that really motivated me to have a really good year this year.”

Somi Lee’s Korean roots instilled discipline, focus, and resilience, helping her navigate LPGA challenges and transition smoothly from the KLPGA. In 2025, she made seven cuts in eight starts, earning $239,400 and ranking 41st in the Race to CME Globe. She made strong finishes at events like the Black Desert Championship (T12) and Founders Cup (T13). Her leadership was also evident as she captained Team Somi Lee to victory at the PIF Saudi Ladies International.

While both the golfers’ journeys have been utterly different to say the least, their resilient, hard-working nature, discipline-included Korean roots, and prodigal careers connect them together, even if not through any familial bonds.