Andrea Lee's hole-in-one raises $20,000 for St. Jude

American golfer Andrea Lee made a hole-in-one on the par-three eighth at Pine Beach Golf Links during the second round of the BMW Ladies Championship on October 23, 2026. From 122 yards she used a choked-down nine-iron, sending the ball onto the green and into the cup. She said the spectators were so quiet that she initially wondered whether the shot had gone in.

Lee was deciding between a full pitching wedge and a nine-iron. With a slight following wind, she chose the iron and gripped down to control the distance. The decision illustrates how professionals adjust yardage through club choice, grip length and swing rather than simply hitting every club at full power.

She finished the round with a six-under 66, recording six birdies and two bogeys alongside the eagle. Yet she stood at even par overall after two rounds, tied for 64th. One remarkable shot does not automatically guarantee a strong tournament position.

The ace also produced a charitable benefit. Through the CME Group Cares — Score 1 for St. Jude initiative, CME Group donated $20,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Lee's behalf. It was the 23rd qualifying LPGA ace of the season, taking cumulative donations to $460,000.

Lee represented the United States at the 2026 Solheim Cup. Her best LPGA finish of the season to that point was a tie for tenth at the HSBC Women's World Championship. According to the LPGA, she led the tour in driving accuracy at 83.60%.

The moment combined skill, fortune and a meaningful charitable contribution. All scoring details here refer to the second round on October 23, not the eventual tournament result.

Source: LPGA, October 23, 2026. Illustration: archival golf-ball photograph, not an image of Andrea Lee or the event.