SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

June 8, 2025

Ilhee Lee

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Ilhee after her final round to the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Just really awesome week to watch you. How would you talk through your day today? What are some of the highlights today for you?

ILHEE LEE: I had bunch of -- like couple of bad bounces on the first hole and third hole, but I wasn't -- I was just thinking, it's just golf. I'll probably -- it's okay to play from there; everybody has been.

So I was not -- I was just trying same thing, same chipping, same putt.

And, yeah, then I was trying to move my lower body a little bit because I was kind of like a little bit shaky because I think it was first time for me to start as a leader, so I was kind of nervous. Maybe that's why.

But, yeah, I got through pretty quick and, yeah, I finished great I think.

Q. And you had quite the push there on the back nine to move back up into the conversation. What was going through your head as you made the turn?

ILHEE LEE: Nothing. Same thing since the first hole of Friday and then Sunday 18th hole. Just a little bit of nervous first through third hole probably, but that was it. I did exactly same thing.

Q. How much did you just enjoy today?

ILHEE LEE: It was so fun to watch Jennifer playing, and I was always watching her on TV. I was right next to her and actually I was cheering for her because it's just golf. I mean, it's not need to make it happen. We all try our best.

So I was actually cheering for her. Said good shots and nice putts and stuff. And we were talking a little bit on 18th hole about pace of play because it was my first time playing this quick on Sunday.

Yeah, we were talking about pace of play a little bit. Yeah, it was awesome to watch her play.

Q. And with this finish, what does this do for your moving forward? I know you talked about enjoying things so much. What kind of do you feel like this finish does for you moving forward?

ILHEE LEE: Not really much. If anything, I probably can pick a tournament where I want to go so I thought about going to Meijer next week.

I have amazing host family. I love that golf course. Hospitality is amazing. But I missed, so I'm going home. Even though I finished second, I qualified, but I'm going home.

Q. You referenced it a little bit the other day. We had a question from a media member talking about what you've been doing of the course the past couple years? Have you had another job?

ILHEE LEE: So soon as I was feeling not good for golf, I went back to school. I was already third year of school when I came to the States, but I had to go back and do it again. So it took me another four, five years to finish it, so I -- how long, 15 years to finish my degree, bachelor degree, but I finished last year.

At the same time I wanted to make some money, so I was working for Financial Forum for 100 days, which was great experience. Didn't really like it, but it was amazing experience.

Yeah, so I worked for Financial Forum for 100 days and then got out. Then I realize oh, I'm good at golf. So I got to teach golf. I started teaching a little bit, not full time, but I was teaching a little bit and I loved it. I absolutely loved it.

So since then I was teaching a little bit and playing at the same time and rehabbing, more treatment on my shoulder and back and ankle.

Yeah, so that's what I did. I still have few students waiting for me in LA so I get to see them next week.

Q. When they ask you about this week, I'm sure they're probably watching on TV, what are you going to tell them about this week? How will you use this week as a teaching moment for them?

ILHEE LEE: I got a lot of messages, Instagram messages about how much I inspired other people. That was amazing. That's something I really want to do, and I'm trying. That's something I try to do all the time.

Yeah, Ji-yai, my best friend texted me saying you inspired me. What? But, yeah, I hope everyone enjoy golf. That's all. That's what I want.