Danielle Kang: Player Profile

Who is Danielle Kang?

Danielle Kang is a key member of the United States Solheim Cup team, having won a Women’s PGA Championship, one of six LPGA Tour titles.

Born in San Francisco in 1992, Kang grew up in Southern California and went on to play collegiate golf at Pepperdine University. She won the US Women’s Amateur in back-to-back in 2010 and 2011, and remains the last woman to have won it in consecutive years. She then turned professional after the second of those wins, foregoing her chance of playing in the NCAA post-season in 2011.

Kang had to wait six years before she was back in the winners’ circle on the professional tour. That came at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, as her first win also was her maiden major title. She has gone on to win six times so far on the LPGA Tour, including two wins at the Buick LPGA Shanghai. Her most recent win came at the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

Following her maiden major title in 2017, Kang made her Solheim Cup debut later that year, winning three points from her four matches. She has gone on to make four appearances in the premiere women’s team golf competition, qualifying automatically for all four editions of the tournament.

Away from the sport, Kang had to deal with a major health scare in 2022. Ahead of the US Women’s Open, she revealed that she was playing despite having a tumour on her spine. She has since had surgery to remove the tumour and is back playing on the LPGA Tour once again.

Danielle Kang | An Overview

Personal Information

Name: Danielle Grace Kang
Born: October 20, 1992
Nationality: United States
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Career

College: Pepperdine University
Turned Pro: 2011
Professional Wins: 6
Highest World Ranking: 2 – January 6, 2020

Best Results In Majors

Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T6 (2019)
– Women’s PGA Championship – WON (2017)
– US Women’s Open – 4th (2018)
– Evian Championship – T18 (2017)
– AIG Women’s Open – T32 (2020)

Professional Wins – 6

2017 (1) – Women’s PGA Championship
2018 (1) – Buick LPGA Shanghai
2019 (1) – Buick LPGA Shanghai
2020 (2) – LPGA Drive On Championship, Marathon Classic
2022 (1) – Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

Achievements and Awards

LPGA Vare Trophy – 2020

Danielle Kang | What’s In Her Bag?

Kang plays Titleist throughout the bag. She has a TSR2 driver and TSR2+ fairway woods, while playing 716 CB irons and two types of Vokey Design wedges. The American uses the Titleist Pro V1x ball.

You can read the full what’s in the bag for Danielle Kang here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Danielle Kang

When and where was Danielle Kang born?

Danielle Kang was born in San Francisco on October 20, 1992 and grew up in Southern California. Both her parents are South Korean and her brother also played collegiate golf, for San Diego State.

When did Danielle Kang turn professional?

Kang turned professional in 2011, playing her first tournament at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. She entered LPGA Qualifying School that same year and gained conditional status. She would then achieve her full-time LPGA Tour card for the 2013 season.

How many professional titles has Danielle Kang won?

As of September 2023, Danielle Kang is a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour. Her first title came in a major championship, as she won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2017. She then won the Buick LPGA Shanghai in back-to-back years, before winning twice in 2020. Her most recent LPGA Tour crown came at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, which came at the start of 2022.

Did you Know?

First Win, First Major

Kang’s first victory as a professional was also her first major championship win. She had not tasted victory as a pro going into the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2017. She led at the halfway stage, eventually winning by a single shot from Brooke Henderson.

Two-Time US Women’s Amateur Champion

Kang won back-to-back US Women’s Amateur Championships prior to turning professional. She defeated compatriot Jessica Korda 2&1 in the 2010 final, before then cruising to a 6&5 win over Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn in the 2011 final. That was her last amateur appearance as she then turned professional immediately after the 2011 edition of the tournament.

Battling Back After Tumour Removal

Kang started struggling with back pain through the early part of 2022, and withdrew from multiple events. She played the US Women’s Open that summer after revealing that she had a tumour on her spine. She then had surgery to deal with the issue, before coming back later in the season.