Somi Lee has been making waves on the LPGA Tour this year, especially since she earned her first LPGA Tour victory at the 2025 Dow Championship in June. And while the spotlight often shines on the five-time winner on the LPGA of Korea Tour, there’s another figure quietly shaping her success. Her caddie, Joakim Hilton.

Joakim Hilton is a resident of Sweden and stepped up to take on Lee’s bag when her previous caddie, Andrew Tomasi, parted ways with her last year. Lee shuffled between Tomasi and her father, Tohyeun, on the bag. But finally settled with Hilton as her permanent looper.

Notably, Joakim Hilton isn’t new to elite-level golf.

He competed collegiately from 2001 to 2003, played professionally until 2014, and began caddying on the men’s European and Challenge Tours in 2015. In 2016, he transitioned to the American circuit and began working with players like A. Lim Kim, Miranda Wang, and Hira Naveed.

Over the years, he has gained a reputation as a steady, insightful presence on the bag.

When asked what drew him to the role of a caddy, Hilton responded with refreshing honesty.

“Sharing the up-and-down journey of this wonderful game together with the best players in the world. Traveling, competing, supporting athletes, and being physically active outdoors – so cannot imagine a better job,” he told the Professional Ladies Tour Caddies Association.

Jaokim Hilton and Somi Lee’s partnership is doing wonders.

When Lee won her first event on the LPGA at the Dow Championship alongside Jinhee Im, Hilton was on her bag. Lee and Im were forced into a playoff against Megan Khang and Lexi Thompson. Post the win, Hilton couldn’t help but share a heartfelt note on Instagram.

“You played solid all week — but more than that, you showed up like you always do: as yourself. With focus, respect, and simplicity. I still think about something you said during the pro-am in Thailand earlier this year… ‘Since the golf swing changes every day, I focus on rhythm and balance. If I can have good rhythm and good balance on each shot, my experience says I’ll be fine.’ That right there is you — steady, humble, and present. You trust the game, trust yourself, and keep moving forward no matter what. You’re a source of inspiration — and it’s a gift to walk beside you, facing the unknown together, one shot at a time.”

And Hilton is right. Lee has been an inspiration.

She made her AIG Women’s Open debut at St Andrews in 2024, finishing T22, but had already logged six LPGA Tour starts as an amateur. Her best amateur finish came at the 2019 BMW Ladies Championship, tying for fourth.

In 2023, she dominated the KLPGA with 26 starts, 11 top-10 finishes, and a solo second at the Dongbu Construction Koreit Championship. In her rookie LPGA season, she’s already had 7 top-10 finishes in 26 starts.

And talking more about Joakim Hilton, beyond caddying, he is also a keen artist and frequently shares his work on social media.

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Joakim Hilton’s life beyond caddying for Somi Lee

Away from the fairways, Joakim Hilton carries an unexpected creative streak.

He often shares his artwork on Instagram, updating on what he’s currently working on. Through his art, he has also learnt to draw parallels between painting and caddying.

“There are interesting parallels between my work as a tour caddie and creating custom art. In both, much of the work happens in preparation,” he put in a post.

Just as he studies a course, calculates yardages, and builds a game plan for his players, he approaches each painting with the same meticulous care – collaborating with clients, sourcing materials, and preparing for it.

“In tour caddying, overlooking small details can make or break a round. In my art, skipping essential steps can compromise the final expression.”

And Hilton’s life extends even in the essence of entrepreneurship.

For more than eleven years, he has been the co-founder of Life Help Sweden, a company dedicated to CPR, First Aid, and AED training. Their mission is simple but powerful – to make workplaces and communities confident and capable in emergency care.

Joakim Hilton goes way beyond being the Somi Lee’s bagman!