Alison Lee returns to competitive golf at this week’s Aramco Houston Championship just over four months after the birth of her son Levi.
The two-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner will tee it up on home soil in the fourth event of the PIF Global Series at Golfcrest Country Club in Houston.
As with the previous PIF Global Series events, the Aramco Houston Championship consists of a 36-hole Team competition alongside a 54-hole Individual competition.
Lee is keeping her expectations low this week having only played 18 holes twice since October but feels ready to compete on the LET this week.
“I wanted to try and play a few tournaments this year. I wasn’t sure if it would be possible, but I wanted to give it a trial run and see what it’s like traveling with a baby, because there’s so much that goes with it,” said Lee.
“I also didn’t know how my recovery would be. I had to have an emergency C-section, so I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m not going to recover quickly enough’. About two months after I had him, I started feeling a lot better, and I began practicing pretty avidly.
“I wanted to push myself—not only to see how I’d play while traveling with a baby, but also because I didn’t want to just come out and ‘whack it around’. I wanted to compete. I wanted to give golf one more push—maybe one or two years. If I’m not playing the way I want, I probably won’t continue.
“The hardest part has been getting my speed and power back. I’ve lost so much, and that’s been frustrating, but I’ve taken it day by day. I even considered playing in Boston last week but decided it was too soon. I’m glad I waited, because my game feels in a much better place now.
“Today I feel ready to compete. A week ago, I wasn’t sure. Today in the Pro-Am, I played really well. I don’t expect too much tomorrow, but I was happy. The bigger question is whether I’ll have enough energy to get through the week. I’ve only played 18 holes twice since October. I’m nervous about how it will feel under real competition pressure.”
Two-time Solheim Cup winner Lee is no stranger to success in this format – although it is the first time she has competed in these events with the teams made up of four professionals.
The 30-year-old has two professional victories to her name, and they both came on the LET in the Individual events at the 2021 Aramco Team Series – Sotogrande and 2023 Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Riyadh.
“I’m excited to see what it’s like,” she explained. “This is the first time I’ll play without an amateur in the group, as it’s four pros. That will be different. Honestly, I don’t know what to expect.
“My mentality has shifted, though. I used to think so far ahead, I was worrying about tournaments months away. Now, I’m more in the moment. My biggest worry is whether Levi will sleep tonight!”
Since having Levi in April, Lee has taken on board lots of advice from different players including Michelle Wie West, Jessica Korda, and Lindsey Weaver Wright.
The American admits she has felt ‘mum guilt’ when she has been practicing or working out in preparation for her return, but she’s also been enjoying seeing the milestones as Levi continues to grow.
She continued: “I’m close with Michelle Wie – she lives in Vegas too – and she gave me advice after going through something similar. I also talked to Jessica Korda, who has a young son, and Lindsey Weaver, who travelled with her baby last year.
“I texted her from the airport saying, ‘You’re crazy, how did you do this alone?’ and she told me it gets easier. Everyone’s advice is different because every child is different. It’s trial and error, figuring out what works best. Thankfully, the LPGA offers daycare, which makes a big difference.
“Leaving Levi at home to practice is tough. I feel mum guilt, I feel like I should be spending more face-to-face time with him. Some days I’ve just said, ‘Forget it, I’m staying home’. At the same time, I know I need to find time for myself.
“Those pockets away are refreshing and help me reset. The last four months have been an emotional rollercoaster. I get less sleep—maybe six hours on average, broken up throughout the night. Last night he woke up three times. That makes it hard to practice or perform the way I want, but I’m doing my best.
“The milestones are the best bit. About a month ago he started giggling, and just this past week he’s been babbling and screaming. At first, with babies you’re just trying to keep them alive. There’s no reaction. Now he looks at me and recognizes me. That’s been the most fun part so far.”
Lee will tee it up in the first round at 10.35 am (local time) on Friday alongside Malaysia’s Ashley Lau, USA’s Hannah Gregg and Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio.
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