Nina Caldwell
Danielle Grace Kang is an American professional golfer who has been playing on the LPGA Tour since turning pro. As an amateur, Kang won the U.S. Women's Amateur twice and has since won the 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. In June 2025, Kang returned to the LPGA tour, competing in the Dow Championship alongside her longtime friend, Lydia Ko.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Danielle Kang still golfing? | Yes, as of June 2025, Danielle Kang is still golfing. |
| Recent competitions | In 2025, Kang participated in the Dow Championship and the KPMG Women's PGA. |
| Tumor diagnosis | In 2022, Kang announced that she had a tumor on her spine. She returned to competition later that year. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Danielle Kang's amateur career
Danielle Kang began her golfing journey at the age of 12. She started by playing in junior tournaments and qualified for the U.S. Women's Open at just 14 years old in 2007. She attended Oak Park High School and later transferred to Westlake High School, where she began her college at Pepperdine University in Malibu in the spring of 2010. During her time at Pepperdine, she played on the golf team through the regular season in the spring of 2011. However, she was ruled academically ineligible to compete in the 2011 NCAA post-season. Kang then turned professional after winning the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2010 and 2011, becoming the first player in 15 years to win consecutive U.S. Women's Amateur titles.
As an amateur, Kang competed in all four majors in 2011 and made the cut in three of them, including the LPGA Championship, where she was the only non-professional. She was also the low amateur at the Women's British Open, finishing in a tie for 49th place.
Kang entered the 2011 LPGA Qualifying School and earned conditional status for the 2012 season. During her first year as a professional, she finished 52nd on the money list, earning full status for the 2013 season. In 2017, she achieved her first LPGA Tour win and her first major victory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. She has since accumulated six professional wins and 57 career top-10s, including the 2018 and 2019 Buick LPGA Shanghai tournaments and the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship.
Kang has represented the United States in four Solheim Cup appearances (2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023) and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she tied for 20th place. She has also earned endorsement deals with various companies and has accumulated over $8.5 million in on-course career earnings.
Upper Deck Golf: A Unique Golfing Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Her return to the LPGA tour
Danielle Kang is an American professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour. In 2022, she had to stop playing on the LPGA Tour after announcing that she had a tumour on her spine. She returned to competition later that year, after receiving treatment.
Kang's return to the LPGA Tour has been marked by her strong performances and the support of her longtime friend and LPGA Hall of Famer, Lydia Ko. At the 2025 Dow Championship, Kang noted that playing with Ko brings out the best in her and allows her to play fun, happy golf. The two friends, who refer to each other as sisters, have a close bond that has helped Kang through challenging times in her career.
Before her return to the LPGA Tour, Kang's best finish in 11 starts during the 2025 season was a share of 54th at the ShopRite. Since her comeback, she has been searching for a big win. At the Dow Championship, she teamed up with Ko, who had already enjoyed a successful year, having won Olympic gold and a major championship.
The 2025 Dow Championship marked a significant turning point for Kang, as she returned to form and showcased her talent. While the pair fell just short of back-to-back wins, with Ko taking the lead at the Gainbridge LPGA tournament, their friendship and mutual support remained a highlight of their time on the LPGA Tour. Ko's presence as Kang's "anchor" and "bright light" has been instrumental in Kang's resilience and determination to succeed.
As Kang continues her journey back to the top of the LPGA Tour rankings, her partnership with Ko serves as a testament to the power of camaraderie and mutual encouragement in professional golf. Their dynamic not only enhances their individual performances but also adds a layer of excitement and emotion to the game, captivating fans and followers of women's golf worldwide.
Golfers and Drug Testing: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kang's relationship with Lydia Ko
Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko first met over a decade ago at the US Women's Amateur Championship. The two golfers have since nurtured a relationship built on respect, affection, and unwavering support for one another. Kang's endearing nickname for Ko is "baby sister", reflecting the closeness they share. Their camaraderie is as strong as their competitive spirits, with the two friends having teamed up several times to compete in the LPGA's Dow Championship.
In January 2022, Kang won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She then narrowly missed out on a rare back-to-back win when Ko beat her by just one stroke in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio tournament. Despite this, their friendship remained unbreakable, with Ko travelling to San Francisco to caddie for Kang at the U.S. Women's Open qualifying in April 2025. This gesture of support came at a time when Kang was struggling on tour and dealing with personal challenges, including a tumour on her spine in 2022.
Ko's caddying skills proved invaluable as she helped Kang secure a spot at the U.S. Women's Open, which was held from May 28 to June 1, 2025, at Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin. This was especially significant for Kang as it marked her return to the championship after a long absence; the last time she had qualified was in 2018, where she finished fourth.
The bond between Ko and Kang is a heartwarming example of friendship and mutual admiration in the competitive world of sports. Their relationship demonstrates that even in high-stakes environments, kindness, support, and camaraderie can thrive. As these two exceptional athletes continue their respective journeys, their shared history and unbreakable friendship will undoubtedly remain a constant source of strength and encouragement.
A Fun Round of Crazy Golf: How Long Does It Take?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kang's 2022 tumour diagnosis
Danielle Kang is a professional golfer who has won six LPGA Tour titles, including the 2017 Women's PGA Championship. On June 4, 2022, Kang revealed that she had been diagnosed with a tumour on her spine. She made this announcement after completing her second round at the US Women's Open in North Carolina, where she was ranked 12th in the world.
Despite her diagnosis, Kang continued to play golf and even competed in the US Women's Open, where she finished 63rd. She shared that she had received the diagnosis upon returning from Hawaii and did not initially want to publicise it. However, her brother, Alex, appeared to confirm the news via an Instagram post before she teed off at the tournament.
At the time of her announcement, Kang stated that it was unclear whether the tumour was malignant or benign. She said, "I've gone through a lot of procedures so far, and with the process of elimination, we are narrowing it down. It's going to take time." She also acknowledged that her health issue was more complex than just a back problem: "Right now, it's not as simple as blaming the tumour to be the problem. It's not just that I have an issue with my back; there is more to it."
Following her disclosure, Kang took a break from the LPGA Tour. She had previously withdrawn from the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii and the Palos Verdes Championship due to back pain. She returned to competition on August 25, 2022, after receiving treatment.
Golf's Historical Development: A Brief Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Her time at Pepperdine University
Danielle Kang is an American professional golfer who is currently playing on the LPGA Tour. She was born in San Francisco in 1992 and grew up in Southern California. She started playing golf at a young age, and after transferring to Westlake High School, she began her college golf career at Pepperdine University in Malibu in the spring of 2010.
During her time at Pepperdine University, Kang played on the golf team through the regular season in the spring of 2011. She had a successful career at the university, appearing in 13 tournaments and achieving a career stroke average of 72.81, making her a two-time All-American. She also won the U.S. Women's Amateur twice during her time at Pepperdine, in 2010 and 2011, becoming the last woman to have won it in consecutive years.
Despite her success, Kang was ruled academically ineligible to compete in the 2011 NCAA post-season. However, she did not seem disappointed, stating that "Pepperdine is in the past for me." After her second win at the U.S. Women's Amateur, Kang turned professional, forgoing her chance to play in the NCAA post-season.
Kang's transition from an amateur to a professional golfer was seamless. She turned pro in 2011 and played her first tournament at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. That same year, she entered LPGA Qualifying School and gained conditional status. She continued to excel in her career, achieving her first LPGA Tour win in 2017 at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, a major championship.
As of 2023, Kang has accumulated six professional wins on the LPGA Tour, including two back-to-back victories at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2018 and 2019. She has also won the 2020 Vare Trophy for achieving the lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour. Her most recent victory was at the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
The Players: A Major Golf Challenge
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Danielle Kang is still golfing professionally. In June 2025, she returned to the LPGA team event with Lydia Ko.
Danielle Kang is an American professional golfer who has been playing on the LPGA Tour. As an amateur, she won the U.S. Women's Amateur twice, in 2010 and 2011. She also won the 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, an LPGA major. On January 23, 2022, Kang won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
In 2022, Kang stopped playing on the LPGA Tour after announcing that she had a tumor on her spine. She returned to competition at the CP Women's Open on August 25 after receiving treatment.
![Avengers: The Kang Dynasty [New Printing]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91QwYYxPRrL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
