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Jane Park
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Jane Park (born December 15, 1986) is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. Before turning professional, Park reached the finals of the 2003 U.S. Women's Amateur and 2004 U.S. Girls' Junior, and won the 2004 U.S. Women's Amateur. She also tied for low amateur at the 2006 U.S. Women's Open. Since joining the LPGA in 2007, she has earned over $2.8 million and recorded 16 top-10 finishes.
Key Information
Early life and amateur career
[edit]Born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 15, 1986,[3] Park began to play golf when she was 11 years old,[4] and later resided in Rancho Cucamonga, California.[5] In August 2003, 16-year-old Park reached the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur, where she lost to Virada Nirapathpongporn 2 and 1.[6] The following year, Park made it to the finals of the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, where she faced Julieta Granada. After the 18-hole match finished all square, Granada won on the second extra hole.[7] Three weeks later, Park won the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, defeating Amanda McCurdy 2-up in the title match.[8]
In addition to her three appearances in USGA event finals, Park played on the U.S. Curtis Cup team in 2004 and 2006 and the UCLA Bruins college team in 2005, when she was a first-team All-American.[4][9] Following a tie for 10th at the 2006 U.S. Women's Open, which was tied for the highest finish by an amateur that year,[10] she turned professional in August 2006.[1]
Professional career
[edit]At the 2006 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in December, Park tied for 18th place, outside the top 15, which only secured her non-exempt (conditional) status on the LPGA Tour for 2007.[11] With a partial LPGA schedule, she spent time on the Futures Tour developmental circuit in 2007.[9] After finishing 109th on the LPGA Tour money list,[12] Park returned to the Final Qualifying Tournament in December, where she won with a 17-under-par total and gained full playing privileges on the LPGA Tour for 2008.[13][14]
During her first full season on the LPGA Tour, Park won over $630,000 to finish 29th on the 2008 money list. In 26 events, she recorded four top-10 finishes, including ties for second at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay and P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship.[15] In 2009, Park had two top-10 finishes in 19 events; a sixth-place tie at the HSBC Women's Champions was her highest finish of the season.[16] Park did not have a top-20 finish in the 2010 season,[17] earning $78,572 for the year.[18] In 2011, Park's earnings fell to $42,261, and she again had no top-20 finishes during the season.[19]
Following a 2012 in which she missed the cut in more than half of her 15 events played, Park had a pair of top-10 finishes in 2013 and over $260,000 in earnings; her ranking of 51st on the LPGA money list was her highest in five years. Her 2014 earnings were just over half of the amount she made in 2013, though she made the cut in 11 of her 16 tournaments. Park's 2015 season included two top-10 finishes, and her season earnings topped $300,000.[18] Her highest finish was a tie for fifth at the U.S. Women's Open, a tournament in which she held a share of the lead after one round.[20][21] In 2016, she earned over $165,000, finishing 84th on the money list.[18] Park's top finish of the season was a tie for 12th at the Evian Championship.[22] The following year, Park's earnings exceeded $340,000, more than doubling her 2016 total.[18] At the Canadian Women's Open, she had her highest finish of the season, a tie for eighth place; in her next tournament, the Portland Classic, she posted her second and final top-10 result in 2017, tying for ninth.[23] That year, Park married Pete Godfrey, a caddie who has worked for LPGA Tour players Ariya Jutanugarn, Jang Ha-na, and Lydia Ko.[24][25]
Park tied for fourth at the 2018 Kia Classic, her best LPGA Tour result in a decade.[26] For the season, she earned almost $300,000 and was 65th on the money list.[27] The Kia Classic was the only tournament in which Park finished in the top 10 in 2018.[28] In 2019, she fell nine spots to 74th in earnings, which totaled over $200,000.[18] Park had three top-10 results in 19 tournaments that season.[29] At the Ladies Scottish Open, she shot a 63 in the first round and ended the day as a co-leader,[30] on her way to a tie for ninth. She later finished tied for seventh at the Portland Classic,[29] and at the Volunteers of America Classic she tied for fourth.[31] In 2020, Park made two cuts in three events played; a tie for 25th at the Women's Australian Open was her highest finish. She made three of 10 cuts in 2021; her only top-60 finish was a tie for 13th at the LPGA Mediheal Championship.[29] Park then took an extended leave from the tour to care for her daughter.[32] In July 2023, after a two-year absence, she returned to play in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.[33]
Results in LPGA majors
[edit]Results not in chronological order before 2019.
| Tournament | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | T24 | T50 | CUT | T30 | T44 | T41 | T19 | CUT | CUT | CUT | T61 | CUT | |||||||
| U.S. Women's Open | T30 | CUT | CUT | T10 TLA | T58 | T42 | CUT | CUT | T42 | WD | T5 | CUT | T21 | T49 | CUT | ||||
| Women's PGA Championship | T74 | T34 | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | T64 | T11 | T49 | WD | T36 | T40 | 70 | CUT | |||||
| The Evian Championship ^ | T67 | T24 | CUT | T12 | CUT | T26 | NT | ||||||||||||
| Women's British Open | T24 | T17 | CUT | CUT | T39 | CUT | T31 | T23 | CUT | ||||||||||
^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013
LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
WD = withdrew
NT = no tournament
"T" = tied
Source:[29]
Summary
[edit]| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 8 |
| Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 8 |
| The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 56 | 32 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 4 (twice)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)
LPGA Tour career summary
[edit]| Season | Tournaments played |
Cuts made* |
Wins | 2nds | 3rds | Top 10s | Best finish |
Earnings ($) |
Money list rank |
Scoring average |
Scoring rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T30 | n/a | 74.00 | ||
| 2004 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T18 | n/a | 73.11 | ||
| 2005 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T50 | n/a | 74.70 | ||
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T10 | 9,164 | 74.11 | ||
| 2007 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T17 | 64,469 | 109 | 72.62 | 34 |
| 2008 | 26 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | T2 | 631,357 | 29 | 71.83 | 31 |
| 2009 | 19 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | T6 | 194,856 | 60 | 72.82 | 84 |
| 2010 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T21 | 78,572 | 83 | 72.89 | 66 |
| 2011 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T29 | 42,261 | 98 | 74.12 | 110 |
| 2012 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T25 | 54,648 | 94 | 73.35 | 88 |
| 2013 | 23 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | T6 | 267,757 | 51 | 71.79 | 39 |
| 2014 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T11 | 136,521 | 79 | 71.73 | 43 |
| 2015 | 26 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | T5 | 348,673 | 50 | 72.39 | 76 |
| 2016 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T12 | 165,969 | 84 | 72.54 | 91 |
| 2017 | 24 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | T8 | 341,793 | 56 | 71.02 | 39 |
| 2018 | 25 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | T4 | 297,576 | 65 | 71.81 | 66 |
| 2019 | 19 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | T4 | 218,147 | 74 | 71.14 | 42 |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T25 | 15,515 | 137 | 72.20 | n/a |
| 2021 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | T13 | 26,164 | 151 | 73.69 | 148 |
| 2022 | Did not play | ||||||||||
| Totals | 266 (2007) | 180 (2007) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 16 (2007) | T2 | 2,864,278 | 142 | ||
Official through the 2022 season[27][29][34]
*Includes matchplay and other tournaments without a cut.
U.S. national team appearances
[edit]Amateur
- Junior Solheim Cup: 2002 (winners), 2003
- Curtis Cup: 2004 (winners), 2006 (winners)
- Espirito Santo Trophy: 2004
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Jane Park: Bio". LPGA. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Jane Park". Ping. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ "Jane Park". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
- ^ a b "Player Bios: Jane Park". United States Golf Association. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ Yoon, Peter (October 19, 2004). "UCLA Women's Golf Lands Park". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
- ^ "Nirapathpongporn fends off Park in U.S. Amateur final". USA Today. Associated Press. August 10, 2003. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ Sirak, Ron (July 27, 2004). "Just Win, Baby". ESPN. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ Yates, Jennifer C. (August 16, 2004). "Park wins nail-biter". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ a b Mickey, Lisa D. "Jane Park Ready To Take Aim As A Pro". Futures Tour. LPGA. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ Dulac, Gerry (July 26, 2006). "Gerry Dulac's Golf Notebook: Next cup of tees & ponytails". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ "2006 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament: Final Results". LPGA. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- ^ "2007 Player Performance Record". LPGA. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "Park heads list of 17 LPGA qualifiers at Q-School". ESPN. December 3, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ "Final Results". LPGA. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- ^ "2008 Player Performance Record". LPGA. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ "2009 Player Performance Record". LPGA. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ "Jane Park Results: 2010". Fox Sports. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Jane Park Stats". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "2011 Player Performance Record". LPGA. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
- ^ "Jane Park Results: 2015". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Jane Park moves into 3-way tie for first at U.S. Women's Open". ESPN. Associated Press. July 10, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ "Jane Park Results: 2016". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
- ^ "Jane Park Results: 2017". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ Shipnuck, Alan (March 27, 2017). "LPGA vet Jane Park discusses life after golf, being married to a caddie". Golf Magazine. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ Levins, Keely (April 27, 2017). "Lydia Ko opens up about what she's looking for in a caddie". Golf Digest. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
- ^ Nichols, Beth Ann (March 25, 2018). "Eun-Hee Ji comes up aces, captures Kia Classic". Golfweek. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ a b "Jane Park Stats". LPGA. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Jane Park Results: 2018". LPGA. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Jane Park Results". LPGA. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "Park, Van Dam Seeking 1st wins at Ladies Scottish". Golf Channel. Associated Press. August 8, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
- ^ "Emotional Knight posts first LPGA title on native Texas soil". Yahoo Sports. Agence France-Presse. October 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ Paisley, Kent (July 12, 2023). "Jane Park to play in first LPGA event in 2 years after stepping away to care for daughter". Golf Digest. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ Romine, Brentley (July 18, 2023). "With daughter in tow, Jane Park makes healing return to LPGA". Golf Channel. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ "Career Money". LPGA. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Jane Park at the LPGA Tour official site (archived)
- Jane Park at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site
- Jane Park at SeoulSisters.com
Jane Park
View on GrokipediaEarly life and amateur career
Childhood and family background
Jane Park was born on December 15, 1986, in Chicago, Illinois, to first-generation South Korean immigrant parents.[3] The family emphasized education and extracurricular pursuits, aligning with traditional Korean values of diligence and family respect that shaped their approach to child-rearing. The Parks relocated to California during Jane's early childhood, settling in areas such as La Crescenta and later Rancho Cucamonga, where she spent much of her youth. This move provided access to local golf facilities, facilitating her initial exposure to the sport through community clubs. She began playing golf at the age of 11, introduced to the sport by her father, who doubled as her coach and encouraged its pursuit alongside academics.[3] Parental support was pivotal, with her father funding travel and training expenses while instilling a rigorous work ethic rooted in Korean cultural expectations of perseverance and familial duty. This heritage influenced a disciplined mindset toward sports, fostering commitment without overt pressure, and set the stage for her deeper involvement in golf.Junior golf achievements
Jane Park emerged as a standout talent in junior golf during her early teens, quickly establishing herself on the national circuit through the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). At just 13 years old, she secured her first AJGA victory at a national tournament in Galena, Illinois, winning by two strokes in her debut national event.[8] This early success marked the beginning of a promising career, supported by her family's dedication to enabling travel for tournaments across the country.[8] By 2003, Park had risen to prominence with multiple high-profile wins and strong performances in AJGA events. She claimed the Kathy Whitworth Junior Invitational at Mira Vista Country Club, posting scores of 73-72 for a total of 145 to take the title. Later that year, she dominated the AJGA McDonald's Betsy Rawls Girls National Championship at DuPont Country Club, shooting a record-setting 65-69-68 for 202 (-11), her third career AJGA victory at the time.[9] Park also finished as runner-up at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship, losing in a sudden-death playoff to Paula Creamer after leading into the final round.[10] Her consistent excellence earned her recognition as a first-team Rolex Junior All-American in 2003, reflecting top-10 finishes across several national junior events that year.[9] These achievements, including low rounds like her opening 65 at Betsy Rawls, showcased Park's developing precision and competitive edge leading up to her high school graduation in 2005.College career at UCLA
Jane Park enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2005 as a freshman on the women's golf team.[11] During her single collegiate season in 2005-06, she competed as an amateur while contributing to the Bruins' strong performance in Pac-10 and NCAA competitions.[12] Park earned first-team All-American honors from the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) and Pac-10 All-Conference recognition in 2005-06, highlighting her status as one of the top collegiate golfers that year.[12] She recorded one individual victory during the season, winning the PING/ASU Invitational in 2006 with a score of 209 (-7), including a career-best round of 65 in the final round.[13] Her scoring average tied for the team lead at 73.1 strokes, tying with teammate Amie Cochran.[14] On the team front, Park helped UCLA secure the Pac-10 Conference championship in 2006, where the Bruins won by 13 strokes over USC; she finished tied for sixth individually at 220 (+4).[15] The team also advanced to NCAA postseason play, finishing second at the NCAA West Regional in 2006 and competing in the 2006 NCAA Championships, where UCLA placed competitively despite Park's individual tie for 83rd at +22.[12] Her efforts supported five team wins overall in the 2005-06 season.[12] As a low amateur in professional events during her college year, Park posted notable results, including a tie for 50th at the 2005 Kraft Nabisco Championship (298) and a tie for 58th at the Canadian Women's Open (296), while missing the cut at the U.S. Women's Open (153).[11] These performances underscored her transition from high-level amateur success to collegiate and professional-level competition.[11]Major amateur victories
Jane Park's most prominent amateur achievement came in 2004 when she captured the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at age 17, defeating Amanda McCurdy 2-up in a 36-hole final at The Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pennsylvania.[16] In the match, Park took an early 2-up lead through the morning round, but McCurdy rallied to tie it before lunch; Park then pulled ahead with three birdies in the first five holes of the afternoon, including a chip-in on the 30th, to lead 3-up by the 28th hole.[16] Despite McCurdy closing the gap to 1-up at the 35th, Park sealed the victory on the final green when McCurdy three-putted, conceding Park's birdie putt.[16] This win followed a runner-up finish in the 2003 event and marked Park as the first Korean-American to claim the title.[3] She also finished second in the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship in both 2003 (reaching the quarterfinals) and 2004, losing to Julieta Granada on the 20th hole of the final.[17][3] Following her final amateur appearance in the U.S. Women's Amateur that August—where she advanced through stroke play with a second-round 72—Park announced in July her decision to turn professional, forgoing her remaining college eligibility to pursue a career on the LPGA Tour.[14][18] This move came after earning low amateur honors with a T10 finish at the 2006 U.S. Women's Open, solidifying her transition from elite amateur to professional ranks.[3]Professional career
LPGA Tour entry and early professional years
Jane Park turned professional in August 2006 after a distinguished amateur career, including her status as the 2004 U.S. Women's Amateur champion, and earned non-exempt status on the LPGA Tour by tying for 18th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in December 2006.[3] This conditional status allowed her to compete in the 2007 season as a rookie. Park made her LPGA Tour debut at the season-opening 2007 SBS Open at Turtle Bay Resort, where she made the cut and completed the event.[19] Throughout her rookie year, she made the cut in 17 of 23 starts, achieving several top-20 finishes, with her best result a tie for 17th at the Sybase Classic Presented by ShopRite.[3] She concluded the season 68th on the official money list, earning $155,737 and accumulating sufficient Rookie of the Year points to place her in contention for the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award, which was ultimately awarded to Angela Park.[20] To secure fully exempt playing status for 2008, Park returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in December 2007 and won the event wire-to-wire at 17-under-par 343, tying the tournament record previously set by Ai Miyazato in 2006.[21] In her early professional years from 2007 to 2009, Park navigated the demands of the tour's extensive international travel schedule and the pressure to adapt her game to professional competition, while posting consistent results including a career-best tie for second at the 2008 SBS Open.[22]Key tournament performances
Throughout her LPGA Tour career, Jane Park achieved 16 top-10 finishes, demonstrating consistent competitiveness in non-major events.[4] Her standout performances include two runner-up finishes in 2008: a tie for second at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay Resort and another tie for second at the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship Presented by John Q. Hammons, where she carded a career-low round of 62.[3] That same year, she added a tie for third at the MasterCard Classic and a tie for fourth at The Ginn Tribute hosted by Annika, contributing to a breakout rookie season with four top-10 results.[3] Park maintained steady top-20 finishes across multiple seasons, such as a tie for 29th at the 2013 Kia Classic and a tie for fifth at the 2015 Lotte Championship, highlighting her reliability in regular tour stops.[3] Later in her career, she secured a tie for fourth at the 2018 Kia Classic and a tie for ninth at the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, where she posted a career-low 36-hole total of 134.[3] These results underscored her ability to contend in diverse field conditions, including international venues. Reflecting her Korean-American heritage, Park competed in Asian events like the 2009 HSBC Women's Champions, finishing tied for sixth in her professional debut there.[3] Her career earnings surpassed $2.9 million by 2023, bolstered by these consistent performances that placed her among the tour's steady contributors without a victory.[4]Career challenges and hiatus
Following her early successes on the LPGA Tour, Jane Park encountered performance slumps in the years after 2010, marked by inconsistent results and finishes outside the top 80 on the money list. In 2010, she achieved no top-20 placements and ended the season 83rd in earnings, which dropped her to conditional (Category 11) status for 2011.[7] Similar challenges persisted into 2011, where she recorded no top-10 finishes and placed 98th on the money list, maintaining conditional status.[7] These struggles continued sporadically, with another dip in 2016 when she finished 84th, again resulting in Category 11 status for 2017.[7] By the late 2010s, Park stabilized her standing but faced ongoing risks to full Tour status amid limited play. In 2018, she earned approximately $300,000 to finish 65th, securing full exempt status for 2019.[7] The 2019 season saw her compete in 19 events, making 12 cuts and earning $218,147 for 74th on the money list, which preserved her full status heading into 2020.[3] However, 2020 brought further challenges as maternity preparations restricted her to just three events, where she made two cuts and earned $15,515, placing 137th—though her status was preserved due to maternity leave provisions.[3] The birth of her daughter in late 2020, compounded by the child's subsequent health issues including a diagnosis of intractable epilepsy, profoundly impacted Park's scheduling and led to a reduced playing schedule.[23] This family health crisis prompted a full hiatus from competitive golf starting in July 2021, after her daughter's undiagnosed seizures during the Ascendant LPGA event required round-the-clock care, sidelining Park for nearly two years. In recognition of her perseverance through these challenges, Park received the 2023 Heather Farr Perseverance Award.[24][25] The demands of motherhood and caregiving significantly curtailed her Tour participation, shifting her priorities toward family support.[23] Park made her return at the 2023 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, partnering with Paula Creamer in the team event after an absence of almost two years; the duo missed the cut but marked an emotional milestone with her daughter present.[24] Reflecting on the hiatus, Park described it as a period of profound gratitude and resilience, emphasizing the honor of motherhood while acknowledging the difficulty of balancing it with her professional aspirations, stating she aimed to live in the moment and rewrite her golf career's narrative on her terms.[23]Retirement from professional golf
Jane Park did not record any starts on the LPGA Tour in 2024 or 2025, solidifying her retirement from professional competition after a career spanning over 15 years.[19][7] Following her departure from the tour, Park shifted her focus primarily to family priorities, dedicating her time to caring for her daughter Grace, who has been battling intractable epilepsy since 2021. This emphasis on motherhood and family life marked a profound transition from the demands of professional golf, allowing Park to prioritize personal well-being over competitive pursuits. Her experiences during an earlier hiatus from the tour, prompted by Grace's health challenges, ultimately informed her decision to retire permanently, as the ongoing needs of her family outweighed the rigors of tournament play.[26] In her post-competitive life, Park has remained involved in golf through non-competitive avenues, including advocacy and charity efforts related to epilepsy awareness, such as fundraising events and sharing her story to support affected families. While not pursuing coaching roles, she has participated in occasional charity outings and pro-am events to stay connected to the sport that defined much of her career. These activities reflect her commitment to giving back to the golf community without the pressure of professional competition.[27][28] In 2025 interviews, Park expressed a sense of fulfillment derived from her life beyond professional victories, emphasizing the joy and purpose found in motherhood and creative pursuits like painting, inspired by her daughter's resilience. She described this phase as one of profound personal growth, stating that true success lies in the strength gained from family challenges rather than on-course achievements. These reflections highlight her evolving perspective on achievement and happiness post-retirement.[29][30] Park's legacy extends to her influence on younger Asian-American golfers, where she has served as a role model by navigating cultural identities and advocating against anti-Asian bias in the sport. As a Korean-American pioneer, her openness about blending her heritage with American life has inspired the next generation to embrace their multifaceted backgrounds while pursuing excellence in golf. This impact underscores her contributions to diversifying and strengthening representation in professional women's golf.[31][32]Personal life
Marriage and relocation
Jane Park met Pete Godfrey, a longtime LPGA Tour caddie and former English professional golfer, through their shared connections in golf circles at one of Cristie Kerr's charity pro-ams around 2011. The couple married in February 2017, marking a significant personal milestone amid Park's ongoing professional career on the LPGA Tour.[26][33][31] Following their marriage, Park and Godfrey established their home in Woodstock, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta, to provide greater family stability and a consistent base during the demands of Tour life. Park had relocated to the area around 2015 from California, drawn by the region's lower cost of living, proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for efficient travel, and the appeal of experiencing four distinct seasons—including fall foliage and occasional snow—which contrasted with California's year-round mild weather. This move allowed the couple to build a supportive home environment while accommodating their golf-centric lifestyles.[34][35][31] As a couple, Park and Godfrey bonded over their mutual passion for golf, with Godfrey's role as a caddie for players like Ariya Jutanugarn and Lydia Ko aligning closely with Park's competitive pursuits. They also enjoyed outdoor activities, taking advantage of Georgia's varied climate for recreation beyond the course. Settling in Woodstock enabled Park to reduce some travel-related disruptions by maintaining a stable residence, though this foundation later influenced her career hiatus as family priorities evolved.[31][35]Birth of daughter and family adjustments
In September 2020, Jane Park and her husband, Pete Godfrey, welcomed their first child, daughter Grace Godfrey, who arrived three weeks before her due date. The birth occurred during Park's active years on the LPGA Tour, prompting her to take maternity leave under the league's updated policy, which provides new mothers with flexible options, including up to two years to return to competition.[36][37] Park returned to professional play relatively soon after, competing in her first postpartum event at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Raton in February 2021, where she and Godfrey began reintegrating family life with tournament demands. However, following Grace's health crisis in July 2021, Park stepped away from competition for nearly two years, facing significant logistical and emotional challenges in managing family needs during this period. Godfrey's role as both spouse and caddie offered essential support, enabling them to navigate the transition as a team.[36] Adapting family routines proved a key challenge in the early parenting phase, as the couple frequently traveled with their infant daughter to LPGA events, incorporating her into their on-tour lifestyle. This involved creating portable setups for naps, feedings, and play amid practice rounds and travel itineraries, which tested their organizational skills while preserving Park's competitive edge. Despite these adjustments, Park expressed delight in Grace's budding personality and her engagements with the golf community, such as waving to fans and interacting with other players, which brought moments of levity and renewed purpose to their shared journey.[36]Advocacy for epilepsy awareness
Following the onset of her daughter Grace's medical challenges in July 2021, when the 10-month-old suffered multiple seizures and brain swelling during the Ascendant LPGA tournament in Dallas, leading to her hospitalization, doctors initially suspected a viral or autoimmune issue, such as encephalitis.[38][39] Grace was subsequently diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of intractable (refractory) epilepsy, between 2021 and 2022; she underwent surgical removal of part of her brain as treatment, but the conditions proved resistant to medication and resulted in permanent brain damage, requiring round-the-clock care.[26][40][30][41] Park has openly shared her family's story through media interviews and updates from 2023 to 2025, detailing the emotional toll of Grace's condition, including near-death episodes like a severe seizure in early 2025 that necessitated urgent hospitalization and left Park fearing for her daughter's life.[26][42][43] These accounts, often conveyed with raw vulnerability, highlight the daily challenges of managing up to 30-35 seizures on severe days and the evolving nature of Grace's injuries.[26] Following her return to competition in 2023, Park has actively participated in epilepsy awareness initiatives, including collaborations with the Epilepsy Foundation and golf-related charity events to fund research and support services for affected families.[23][5] For instance, during her 2023 return to the LPGA at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, proceeds from the sale of pink "Grace" hats benefited the Epilepsy Foundation and the Golf for Her Foundation, raising awareness and funds for childhood epilepsy.[23] She has also supported broader efforts, such as community fundraisers that have generated significant donations, including $50,000 for Grace's care in one recent campaign, while encouraging others in the golf community to advocate against epilepsy-related risks. As of 2025, Park continues to share updates on Grace's condition via social media, including celebrations of her fifth birthday in September, which defied medical predictions, and accounts of ongoing severe seizures, such as one disrupting therapy in October; she has channeled experiences into advocacy through creative outlets like painting inspired by Grace's journey.[44][45] Through her advocacy, Park emphasizes themes of resilience and gratitude, drawing from her experiences to inspire others facing similar hardships; this was underscored by her receipt of the 2023 Heather Farr Perseverance Award from the LPGA, which recognized her dedication as a full-time caregiver and advocate for epilepsy and disability awareness.[5][26] In accepting the honor, she credited the LPGA community's inclusivity and expressed profound appreciation for small joys amid grief, stating that her love for Grace grows stronger as her daughter continues to "shine" despite the challenges.[5][26]Achievements and awards
LPGA Tour statistics overview
Jane Park competed on the LPGA Tour from 2007 to 2023, accumulating 267 starts during her professional career.[3] Her total career earnings reached $2,884,278, reflecting consistent participation and competitive finishes over 17 seasons.[46] In terms of performance metrics, Park recorded 16 top-10 finishes, highlighting her ability to contend in high-stakes events. She maintained a cuts made percentage of around 75%, demonstrating reliability in advancing to weekend play across her starts. Her lowest scoring average came in 2017 at 71.02, a season in which she achieved multiple strong placements and exceeded $340,000 in earnings.[47][7] Park's weekly performance showed notable trends in peak years, particularly in putting, where she excelled with efficient green-reading and short-game execution. These putting strengths were evident in seasons like 2015, when she posted a T-5th in a major, underscoring her skill in converting opportunities under pressure. She led the LPGA Tour in driving accuracy in 2018.[3]| Key Career Statistic | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Starts | 267 | 2007–2023 |
| Career Earnings | $2,884,278 | Official LPGA total as of October 2025 |
| Top-10 Finishes | 16 | Includes two runner-up results |
| Lowest Scoring Average | 71.02 | 2017 season |
| Cuts Made Percentage | ~75% | Aggregate across career |