While most future LPGA stars polished their swings at exclusive country clubs, Jenny Bae was crushing 280-yard drives past clucking chicken coops on her family’s Georgia farm! The distance from her childhood home to those chicken houses? A perfect 190 yards—exactly matching her 3-hybrid carry today. This unique training setup would prove advantageous throughout her career.

But every champion’s story begins somewhere, and Jenny’s tale starts with two determined Korean immigrants who saw opportunity where others saw only rural Georgia farmland.

Jenny Bae’s foundation: Korean immigrant family values shape a champion

Peter and Hannah Bae arrived from South Korea in the 1990s with limited resources but clear goals for their family’s future. They settled in Suwanee, Georgia, determined to create opportunities their homeland couldn’t offer. Peter worked as an engineer, while Hannah brought professional golf experience from the Korean LPGA Tour before immigrating.

The couple eventually established a 450,000-chicken operation in Maysville, Georgia, under a Wayne-Sanderson Farms contract. This agricultural foundation would become far more than just financial stability. When Jenny picked up her first golf club at age four, the farm’s open fields transformed into her driving range.

Born on August 25, 2001, Jenny grew up splitting time between Collins Hill High School academics and farm chores. Peter’s semi-professional golf background immediately helped him recognize his daughter’s natural talent. Hannah’s tour experience proved invaluable as Jenny’s earliest instructor. Together, they invested countless hours in their daughter’s development, often at significant personal sacrifice.

Jenny’s high school career showcased her emerging talent. She competed in 25 AJGA events from 2015 to 2018, earning a dozen top-10 finishes and three victories. Her medalist honors at the 2015 Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star and consecutive 2016-2017 Rome Junior Classics victories established her national reputation. She earned an honorable mention on the 2016 AJGA Rolex Junior All-America team.

At the University of Georgia, Jenny’s impact was immediate and record-breaking. She earned the Mary B. Dinos Women’s Golf Scholarship for three consecutive years (2019-2022). Her collegiate achievements included winning the 2020 Georgia Women’s Match Play Championship and the 2021 Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship. Golfweek recognized her talent with honorable mention All-America selections in 2021 and 2022.

Jenny Bae’s professional journey: From amateur dominance to LPGA dreams

Coach Jun Yum recognized something special in young Jenny’s development. He focused on fundamentals over aesthetics, building a repeatable swing that prioritized results. “She’s a player, not just a swinger,” Yum explained, highlighting her ability to generate massive power despite her 5’3″ frame through exceptional ground force mechanics.

Jenny’s senior season at Georgia redefined program standards. Her 70.75 scoring average shattered the previous record of 71.04 set by Jillian Hollis. She earned three All-American honors and captured the 2023 Juli Inkster Award as the nation’s top collegiate golfer. Additionally, she was a finalist for the prestigious Annika Award and Honda Sports Award.

The 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur showcased her championship potential. Jenny battled Rose Zhang through regulation, carding a tournament-record 16 birdies across 54 holes and finishing at 9-under par—the second-best 54-hole score in tournament history. Despite losing in the playoff on the second extra hole, the performance established her credentials among golf’s elite.

Jenny turned professional immediately after graduation, exceeding all expectations on the Epson Tour. Her debut season produced back-to-back victories in her second and third starts. Both wins at the Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship and Twin Bridges Championship came via playoff, demonstrating her ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

Her 2023 Epson Tour campaign included 11 events, nine cuts, and four top-10 finishes. The 2024 season brought even greater success. Jenny made 16 cuts in 18 starts and six top-10 finishes, culminating in her third victory at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout. She finished seventh in the Race for the Card standings, earning full LPGA Tour status for 2025.

Her 2025 LPGA rookie season shows steady adaptation to tour life. A T11 finish at the JM Eagle LA Championship earned her $62,607 and demonstrated her ability to contend against the world’s best. More impressively, she held the 36-hole lead at May’s Mexico Riviera Maya Open, showcasing her potential for breakthrough victories.

Jenny’s current trajectory demonstrates how unconventional training environments can produce elite results. With her technical improvements continuing under Coach Yum’s guidance and financial stability secured, she appears positioned for breakthrough victories in upcoming major championships.