AREE SONG

The Facts

Capsule Bio

Aree and Naree Song (born Wongluekiet) are identical twins born in Thailand; Naree is nine minutes older than Aree. Their father is Korean and their mother is Thai. They expressed an interest in playing for Korea when they turned pro, and indeed, Aree has done so; hence, they are included on the Seoul Sisters site.

As it turns out, they are both also incredible golfers (as is their older brother Chan), and have been dominating the junior ranks and, lately, the amateur ranks the last few years. The family moved to the US when the twins were still young, in order for them to hone their games at the Leadbetter Academy. Well, it didn't take too long before they started making some serious noise.

Aree became, in 1999, the youngest girl to ever win the National Girls Championship (13 years, 3 months old), a record she still holds. Then she astounded everyone by playing well enough to get into the final group on Sunday at the Nabisco Championship (Naree missed the cut). Though she had problems that day, she still finished tenth, ahead of such luminaries as Seoul Sister Se Ri. At the Safeway later that year, Aree played well enough to be in a five way tie for the lead going into the final day. She struggled on Sunday, but still finished 13th, a very impressive result.

After 2000, the twins focused on women's amateur events over AJGA events. They won a plethora of titles; at the start of 2003, in fact, they pulled off an amazing feat: Aree won and Naree finished second at back to back events. They pledged to attend Florida State in the Fall, which automatically made that school one to watch in the coming season.

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But later that summer, Aree had a magnificent performance at the US Women's Open, finishing fifth. She was only two shots out of the playoff that ended up crowning the champion, and for a while, it looked like she might be in it herself. This performance convinced her to turn pro rather than go to college, and for the first time, the Wonder Twins were pursuing different paths.

She attended LPGA Q-School in the Fall and easily made her tour card, finishing in a tie for 4th. However, she would not be 18, the minimum age to play on the LPGA tour, until May, and needed special permission from the LPGA Commissioner to play. Due to her fabulous talent and poise, she was granted that permission, and was the youngest player on tour in 2004.

Aree had a fantastic Rookie year, and she peaked early. At the 2004 Nabisco Championship in March, still only 17 years old, she went into the final round tied for the lead with Grace Park. Going into the final hole, she was two shots behind Grace, but played the most fantastic hole of the entire LPGA season by any player, hitting the island green in 2 and draining the eagle putt to force Grace to make a birdie to beat her. Grace did make the birdie, but few will forget Aree's heroics.

Aree played well the rest of the season, but Shi Hyun Ahn beat her for Rookie of the Year. Aree finished 28th on the money list, however, an excellent result.

2005 was more of a struggle for Aree. She did manage 2 top ten finishes, but nothing higher than a 9th place finish. She ended up 59th on the money list, a big step down from her rookie performance. Still, it was not a terrible year, and she easily maintained her tour card.

Aree continued to struggle with her game in 2006. Although she did manage a third place finish at the Safeway International, and another at the Mizuno Classic, those were her only top tens of the year, and she only finished 47th on the money list.

2007 was a weak year for Aree. She only managed one top ten, at the SemGroup, and barely maintained her exempt card, finishing 88th on the money list. She was sidelined much of 2008 with a mysterious illness that prevented her from playing at all until October.

In 2009, Aree missed the cut almost every time she teed it up, and did not play at all after early July. Apparently, her health was still an issue. In 2010, she continued to struggle, making just under $28,000 all season. She made plans to play in Korea, qualifying successfully for the KLPGA tour. But she shocked everyone by winning LPGA Qualifying School in December, earning full status on tour for 2011.

Aree made just $29,000 in 2011, finishing 107th on the money list. That was good enough to secure category 11 status for 2012. But she took a medical leave that year and did not play at all. She has not played since and has retired from tournament golf. At last report, she was working in Thailand at a company called 54 Degrees Golf, which develops golfers in that country.