Alison Lee achieved her best finish since returning from maternity leave, tying for third at the Mizuho Americas Open on Mother's Day. This emotional moment was celebrated with her son and mother present.
Alison Lee took a deep breath at the top of her press conference on Sunday. The emotions came quickly for Lee, who put together her best finish since coming back from maternity leave on Mother's Day. Lee's share of third at the Mizuho Americas Open was its own kind of special win.
"I feel like this last year has been so difficult, you know," said Lee, whose son Levi recently turned 1. "I've worked so hard, so many nights of no sleep and, you know, trying to motivate myself to wake up, show up to the gym, show up to the golf course, even if it's for a little bit to work on my game and try and get back out here and perform well has such a journey and it's been really hard.
"And to have weeks like this where I can really say that all the hard work I put in is paying off and see myself have a good finish at the end of the week is so rewarding. To be able to do that and have my son here on Mother's Day and my mom is here, too, it means so much."
Alison Lee of the United States tees off at the first tee during the second round of the Mizuho Americas Open on May 8, 2026 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey.
Lee shot 66-69 over the weekend to finish five back of winner Jeeno Thitikul. The 31-year-old came back from leave with two big goals: win an LPGA event and make the 2026 Solheim Cup team.
"There are so many moments where I thought, oh, my God, I'm doing everything I can. I feel like I'm going backwards. My speed isn't the same. I'm not hitting the ball as far. I don't have enough time to practice. I feel like I'm falling behind," said Lee. "All these great players out here who are so good and they can spend hours and hours perfecting their craft. For me I have a limited amount of time.
"I just felt like my preparation and everything I've been doing leading up to these events wasn't enough. But to be able to post a good score today, have a really good week, this is my third LPGA event back now, it does feel really, really good."
Alison Lee tied for third place at the Mizuho Americas Open on Mother's Day.
Motherhood has presented challenges for Alison Lee, but she has worked hard to return to competitive golf after maternity leave.
Alison Lee described her journey back to golf as difficult, involving sleepless nights and significant effort to regain her performance.
Alison Lee's son Levi recently turned one year old, just before her Mother's Day performance.
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Lee was one of a handful of moms in the field this week in New Jersey. Chella Choi, who is in the midst of her first season back after giving birth, also made the cut, taking a share of 45th. Madelene Sagstrom, who is pregnant with her first child, finished 58th.
Tournament host Michelle Wie West, a mother of two, teed it up for the first time in her own event but missed the cut. She was in the CBS booth on Sunday, however, listing about all the gifts LPGA moms received this week.
"Of course flowers, can't leave Mother's Day without flowers," said Wie West. "We're giving each of the moms $1,000 Starbucks gift card because we run on caffeine. They're also getting a really nice Supergoop package. ... I think the best thing on Mother's Day is just seeing your kids."
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: This LPGA mom finished in top 3 on Mother's Day at Mizuho