Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Inbee Park is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Inbee Park is a South Korean golf legend, a seven-time major champion and Olympic gold medallist who dominated women’s golf in the 2010s. As of 2026, she is a mother of two, no longer planning a return to the LPGA Tour but still involved in the game in leadership roles.
Inbee Park’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Park Inbee (박인비) |
| Nickname | “Queen Bee,” “In-Bee” |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 1988 |
| Current Age | 37 years old |
| University | Kwangwoon University |
| Nationality | South Korea |
| Height | 5’6″ (1.68 m) |
| Turned Professional | 2006 |
| Current Net Worth | $9 million |
| Annual Salary/Earnings | Varies by year; best season earned $2,630,011 in 2015 |
| Spouse | Nam Ki-hyeop |
| Children | Two daughters: Nam In-seo and Yeonseo |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @inbeelievable |
Early Career
Inbee Park’s early career showcased remarkable promise and precocious talent. Starting golf at age ten in Seoul, she quickly demonstrated an exceptional natural aptitude for the sport. After moving to the United States at age twelve, Park trained rigorously and compiled an impressive amateur record. She won nine events on the American Junior Golf Association circuit and earned five consecutive Rolex Junior All-American honors.
A key achievement came in 2002 when she captured the U.S. Girls’ Junior championship, establishing herself as one of the most promising young golfers globally. She was also a semifinalist at the 2003 U.S. Women’s Amateur and maintained strong amateur status through 2006. Despite her amateur success, Park faced a unique challenge: LPGA Tour rules required players to be at least 18 years old.
This meant she couldn’t immediately join the professional ranks after turning pro in 2006. Instead, she competed on the Duramed Futures Tour, where the age requirement was lower at 17. Her stellar performance on this circuit earned her a full LPGA Tour card for 2007, marking the official beginning of her legendary professional journey.
Professional Career
Park’s professional career on the LPGA Tour has been extraordinary. When she burst onto the scene in 2007, she immediately made waves with a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Women’s Open. Her breakthrough moment came in 2008 when, at just nineteen years old, she won the U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club, becoming the youngest player ever to win that prestigious major championship.
This victory announced her arrival as a major force in women’s professional golf. For several years, Park remained consistent but didn’t reach the championship heights expected of her, recording solid finishes but relatively few wins. Her career trajectory shifted dramatically starting in 2012 when she captured two victories and earned LPGA Tour leading money winner honors, a sign of excellence to come.
The transformation became undeniable in 2013, arguably her greatest year, when Park won six times on the LPGA Tour and captured three major championships in a single season—the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the Wegmans LPGA Championship, and the U.S. Women’s Open. This remarkable achievement made her only the fourth player in LPGA history to accomplish such a feat, joining Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, and Annika Sorenstam.
Park’s dominance continued through 2014 and 2015, with additional major victories and multiple LPGA wins. In 2016, she topped off her extraordinary career with an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, winning the newly reinstated women’s golf competition at the Summer Games. Her last professional win came in 2020 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, after which she shifted her focus toward family following the births of her two daughters.
Husbend
Inbee Park is married to Nam Ki-hyeop, whom she wed on October 13, 2014. Nam Ki-hyeop, born in 1981, is a professional golf coach who has worked extensively with Park throughout her career. Their relationship evolved from professional mentorship into a deeper personal partnership, and they now share a family together. Park has two daughters: her first child, Nam In-seo, was born in April 2023, and her second daughter, Yeonseo, arrived in October 2024. The birth announcements were shared through her Instagram, where fans celebrated the expansion of Park’s family.
As a devoted mother, Park has chosen to step away from competitive professional golf to dedicate her time to raising her two young daughters. This decision reflects her personal priorities and the evolution of her life beyond the golf course. Despite her reduced tournament schedule, she remains deeply connected to the sport through various board positions and advisory roles.
Inbee Park’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Inbee Park’s current net worth is estimated at approximately $9 million. This substantial wealth has been accumulated through her exceptional career achievements, including prize money winnings totaling $18.26 million, ranking sixth on the LPGA’s all-time career earnings list. Her prize winnings represent the earnings from tournament victories and top finishes across her two-decade professional career, with her best single season coming in 2015 when she earned $2,630,011. Beyond prize money, Park’s endorsement deals with major international brands like KB Financial Group, Mercedes-Benz, Srixon, and others have contributed significantly to her overall wealth.
Prize Money
| Tournament/Category | Prize Money | Year(s) |
| U.S. Women’s Open (2008) | $585,000 (estimated) | 2008 |
| Kraft Nabisco Championship (2013) | Prize money from major | 2013 |
| Wegmans LPGA Championship (2013) | Prize money from major | 2013 |
| U.S. Women’s Open (2013) | $585,000 | 2013 |
| Wegmans LPGA Championship (2014) | Prize money from major | 2014 |
| KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (2015) | Prize money from major | 2015 |
| Ricoh Women’s British Open (2015) | Prize money from major | 2015 |
| 2016 Rio Olympics Gold Medal | Olympic prize purse | 2016 |
| Best Season Prize Total | $2,630,011 | 2015 |
| Career Total Prize Money | $18,262,344 | 1997-2022 |
| 2012 Season Earnings | $2,368,710 (Money Leader) | 2012 |
| 2013 Season Earnings | $2,106,827 (Money Leader) | 2013 |
Endorsements
- KB Financial Group – Primary long-term sponsor and financial services partner
- Mercedes-Benz – Luxury automotive endorsement
- Srixon – Golf equipment and ball manufacturer, providing clubs and golf balls
- Panasonic – Electronics and technology brand partnership
- Lynx – Golf apparel and accessories
- Jeju Samdasoo – South Korean water brand and beverage sponsor
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details | Notable Competition |
| Career LPGA Wins | 21 victories | Highest among active South Korean LPGA players |
| Major Championships | 7 major titles | Fourth-highest in LPGA history among women |
| Olympic Gold Medal | 2016 Rio Olympics | Beat Lydia Ko by 5 strokes |
| Youngest Major Winner | U.S. Women’s Open at 19 (2008) | Set LPGA record for youngest major champion |
| Three Consecutive Majors | 2013 Kraft Nabisco, LPGA, US Women’s Open | Only fourth player to achieve this in LPGA history |
| Career Grand Slam | Completed in 2015 | Seventh player to achieve this honor |
| Women’s PGA Three-Peat | Won 2013, 2014, 2015 | Second player after Annika Sorenstam |
| World Ranking #1 | Four separate periods | April 2013-June 2014, October 2014-February 2015, June-October 2015, April-July 2018 |
| LPGA Hall of Fame | Inducted 2016, age 27 | Youngest player inducted at the time |
| Vare Trophy | 2012, 2015 (lowest scoring average) | Tied for most Vare Trophies among active players |
| Head-to-Head vs. Lydia Ko | Multiple matches; Ko defeated Park for #1 ranking | Competitive rivalry of early 2010s |
| Head-to-Head vs. Catriona Matthew | Playoff victory at 2013 LPGA Championship | Defeated in sudden death on third extra hole |
| Best 18-Hole Score | 61 (-10) at 2014 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic | Best final-round score in LPGA Tour history |
| Career Top 10 Finishes | 118 career top-10 finishes | Consistency indicator across two decades |
| Tournament Wins Across Tours | 21 LPGA wins plus Japan LPGA victories | Multi-tour success |
FAQs
1. Who is Inbee Park and what country does she represent?
Inbee Park is a South Korean professional golfer born on July 12, 1988, in Seoul. She is considered South Korea’s greatest golfer and has competed primarily on the LPGA Tour and LPGA of Japan Tour. Park has been ranked world No. 1 and is an LPGA Hall of Famer, recognized as one of the most accomplished golfers in women’s professional golf history.
2. How many major championships has Inbee Park won?
Inbee Park has won seven major championships. Her first came at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open when she became the youngest ever winner of that tournament at age 19. In 2013, she won three consecutive majors—the Kraft Nabisco Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, and the Wegmans LPGA Championship. She won the Women’s PGA Championship three consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015) and completed the career Grand Slam with her 2015 victory at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
3. What is Inbee Park’s most significant achievement in 2013?
In 2013, Inbee Park won three major championships, becoming only the fourth golfer in LPGA history to accomplish this feat in a calendar year, joining Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Mickey Wright, and Pat Bradley. She won seven tournaments that season and became the world’s No. 1 ranked player. She also earned LPGA Player of the Year honors that year.
4. Has Inbee Park won an Olympic medal?
Yes, Inbee Park won the Olympic gold medal in women’s golf at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. This was the first time women’s golf had been featured in the Olympics since 1900. Park won the tournament convincingly by five shots, despite competing with a thumb injury that had limited her playing schedule that season.
5. When did Inbee Park turn professional and what was her early career like?
Inbee Park turned professional in 2006 at age 17 after special permission from the LPGA. She won her first LPGA tournament at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, becoming the youngest winner of that championship. She experienced a winless stretch from 2009 to 2011 but returned to form in 2012 with two wins and the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average. Her breakthrough year came in 2013 with three major championships.
6. How many LPGA Tour wins does Inbee Park have?
Inbee Park has 21 official LPGA Tour victories. Combined with wins on the LPGA of Japan Tour and Korean LPGA, her total professional wins exceed 30 victories worldwide. She ranks behind only Se Ri Pak among Korean golfers in LPGA wins.
7. Who is Inbee Park’s husband and how did they meet?
Inbee Park married Nam Gi-hyeob in 2014. Nam is a swing coach, and the couple met in the United States in 2006. Park has credited Nam with improving her golf game and providing emotional stability. She stated that before meeting him, she had won only one tournament, but after their relationship began, she achieved 26 victories.
8. Does Inbee Park have children?
Yes, Inbee Park is a mother of two. She welcomed her first daughter, In-seo, in April 2023, and her second daughter, Yeonseo, in October 2024. Both Park and her husband have expressed interest in raising their daughters to play golf. Park has not returned to the LPGA Tour since August 2022.
9. What is Inbee Park’s early life and golf background?
Inbee Park began playing golf at age 10 in Seoul. At age 12, she moved to the United States with her mother to pursue a professional golf career. As an amateur, she won the 2002 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at age 14 and was runner-up in 2003 and 2005. She won nine events on the American Junior Golf Association circuit and was a five-time Rolex Junior All-American. She graduated from Kwangwoon University in Seoul before turning professional.
10. What is Inbee Park’s current status regarding professional golf?
As of January 2026, Inbee Park is not planning to return to the LPGA Tour. Her manager stated that while Park has no plans to return in 2026, she remains involved in the sport as a board member of the International Golf Federation (IGF). Park last competed on the LPGA Tour in August 2022 and is currently focused on her family with her two young daughters.