10 Things to Know about Pro Golfer Allisen Corpuz
Allisen Corpuz is a Filipino and Korean American professional golfer who competes on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. By winning the 78th U.S. Women’s Open, Corpuz made history at the 2023 LPGA Tour: she is the first woman to claim a major at Pebble Beach last July and in doing so, has joined the ranks of famed golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Tom Watson. Corpuz was also the first American to win the U.S. Women’s Open since Brittany Lang in 2016. Not to mention the champion who has taken home the largest prize to date.
Here are 10 facts about the latest LPGA Tour winner:
1. She is half Filipino and Korean.
Corpuz’s father, Marcos, is from the Ilocos region of the Philippines, and her mother, May, is from South Korea. Corpuz’s grandparents migrated to the United States when her father was just eight years old. Her family ended up settling in Hawaii.
2. She is a Hawaii native and attended Punahou School.
Corpuz graduated from the Punahou School in Honolulu, which is the same high school Barack Obama attended. When Corpuz won the U.S. Women’s Open, the 44th president acknowledged his fellow Hawaiian on social media. Obama praised Corpuz on Twitter: “You make us all proud – and look forward to a round at Kapolei!”. Corpuz is the second woman to win a major from Hawaii, after Michelle Wie West.
3. She is a golf prodigy.
Corpuz started playing golf at the age of 4 as a way to bond with her father and older brother, George. She’s come a long way since then. Corpuz is a three-time American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American. In 2008, she surpassed Michelle Wie West as the youngest qualifier in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links at 10 years, three months and nine days old.
In 2014, Corpuz won the Hawaii State Open, represented Hawaii in the 2014 Asia Pacific Junior Cup and represented the West Team at 2012 AJGA Wyndham Cup. Before college, she played in six USGA championships. During her senior year in high school, she was runner-up at the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and won the Hawaii State High School Championship in 2016. That same year, she played as an amateur in the LPGA Lotte Championship.
4. She is a second generation USC Trojan.
Corpuz followed in her father’s footsteps and attended the University of Southern California (USC). She played golf for USC from 2016-2021. She led the team with a 71.57 stroke average. She was a two-time All-American and won three times throughout her collegiate career.
In 2019, she earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the Marshall School of Business. Corpuz also graduated with a Master’s degree in Global Supply Chain Management, a Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics and another in Sustainability and Business. She is the first U.S. Women’s Open champion with an MBA.
While in college, she played in the 2020 and 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup. In 2021, she represented the United States in the Curtis Cup, where she went undefeated.
5. She turned pro in 2021.
In 2021, Corpuz turned professional and finished T16 at Q-School in order to earn her LPGA Tour membership. During her rookie season in 2022, she made 17 cuts and finished in 41st place overall.
6. She received the largest winnings in the LPGA.
At just 25 years old, Corpuz won $2 million, which is the largest claim by any LPGA champion. She was the only golfer to card under-par rounds all four days of the tournament. She finished at 9-under 279.
7. She goes above and beyond to improve her game.
Corpuz puts in work on and off the green to take her game to the next level. At a young age, Corpuz diligently journaled each day, jotting down what went well and what didn’t. Corpuz has worked with Bill Nelson, a mental performance coach that’s helped her ground herself and keep things slow on the course. He’s been able to help her with visualization and breathing techniques. For the past two years, she had been telling herself that she belongs out here and that she is good enough to compete. After winning the U.S. Corpuz posted on her Instagram, “ Dream. Come. True.”
8. She has an extensive support system.
Aside from her family and friends, Corpuz has an amazing support system. Her squad consists of her partner, caddie, and coaches. Together they help her be the best that she can be. Corpuz and her long-term partner, Daniel Eckstrom, met in college. Eckstrom currently serves as a captain in the U.S. Marines. In an interview with golfchannel.com, Corpuz shared, “No matter what happens on the golf course, he always has my back”.
In addition to her mental performance coach, Corpuz credits Stew Burke, who started coaching at USC during her second semester of her freshman year. Burke made an impact on her growth by encouraging her to do and be better. Corpuz also relies heavily on her caddie, Jay Monahan, who is the husband of one of her competitors, Jennifer Kupcho. Corpuz looks to Monahan to help guide her on the green.
9. She is pro-choice and an advocate of women’s rights.
Corpuz uses her platform for good. Without fear, she expresses her opinion in hopes to empower others. On her Instagram, she weighed in on the Supreme Court’s ruling on overturning Roe vs. Wade. She shared a personal story about her mother suffering a miscarriage prior to having her and her older brother. She stated, “You can tear me apart for this. I can handle that, knowing my beliefs and my heart are in the right place: supporting women of all backgrounds. My hope is that this changes a few minds.” She ended her post with the sentiment: “As women, we are inspiring the next generation and everything left unsaid has been noticed. Think of what a powerful message the LPGA could send by supporting a woman’s right to her body unequivocally.”
10. At the time of publication (August 9, 2023), Corpuz is ranked 81st in the LPGA.
Even after winning the U.S. Open, Corpuz has been non-stop! She finished 2nd at the Greater Toledo LPGA Classic, and then played in the Amundi Evian Championship in July. In August, she played in the Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open and she’s currently playing in the AIG Women’s Open. Let’s wish her all the best!
This is just the beginning for the blooming 25 year-old who already has a major win under her belt. It’s been exciting to see more and more Filipino-Americans in the mainstream, doing extraordinary things beyond what we’ve ever seen or dreamt of. Even more so, it is a breath of fresh air to see women speak up and support women publicly. We look forward to seeing more of Corpuz “fight on”, on and off the green.
Written by Jennifer Redondo
Co-Founder and Co-Author of In Her Purpose
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing an ICC investigation for crimes against humanity—but what does this mean for democracy, sovereignty, and the Philippines' global standing? For Filipino Americans, this case is more than just politics—it’s about justice, accountability, and the future of the motherland. Here’s why it matters.