Introduction
Aree Song (Korean: 송아리, Thai: อารี วงศ์ลือเกียรติ; rtgs: Ari Wonglue-kiat) (born Aree Wongluekiet 1 May 1986) is a Korean professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. Her father is South Korean and her mother is Thai. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a South Korean citizen, and has represented Thailand in junior team competition, but she has spent much of her life in the United States.
Early life and amateur career
Song was a child prodigy, setting a number of "youngest" age records. In 1999 she won the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship at thirteen years old, becoming the youngest player to win any United States Golf Association championship. In 2000, she tied for 10th place in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, at the age of thirteen. The same year, a few months after her fourteenth birthday, she became the youngest ever semi-finalist at the U.S. Women's Amateur. In 2001, she was the recipient of the Nancy Lopez Award, which is presented to the best female amateur golfer of the year. The next year she placed first individually at the World Amateur Team Championships and helped Thailand to a second-place finish. She won a number of adult amateur events in 2002 and 2003 and in the latter year she placed fifth at the U.S. Women's Open.
Professional career
Song turned professional in August 2003 at the age of 17 and 3 months. She was granted an exemption from the LPGA's minimum age rule to allow her to enter the 2003 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament where she finished fifth to earn membership on the LPGA Tour for 2004. In her rookie season, she finished second at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and ended the year 28th on the money list. Song eagled the 72nd hole at the Kraft Nabisco to tie for the lead but lost by one shot when Grace Park birdied the final hole.
In 2007, Song suffered a lack of energy and continued to struggle, dropping to 88th place on the official LPGA money list. She sat out all of 2008 due to health problems including severe irritable bowel syndrome and adrenal insufficiency.
Song returned to the LPGA Tour in 2009 and was on the leaderboard at the LPGA Championship in June before a final-round 78 pushed her back in the pack. In 2010, she again competed in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament ("Q-School") to attempt to regain her playing privileges on the LPGA Tour. She won the Tournament and gained full membership on the LPGA Tour for 2011.
Personal life
Song's twin sister Naree Song (Korean: 송나리) has also been a member of the LPGA Tour.
Team appearances
Amateur
- Espirito Santo Trophy (representing Thailand): 2002
Professional
- Lexus Cup (representing Asia team): 2005