Kim Kaufman Bio
Kim Kaufman (born August 16, 1991) is an American professional golfer who competes on the LPGA Tour and the Symetra Tour. Born and raised in South Dakota, she emerged as one of the top amateur players in the country before turning professional in 2013. She is widely recognized for her runner-up finish at the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA and for her resilient return to form after a serious health setback in 2018. Kaufman continues to be a respected presence in women’s professional golf.
Early Life and Background
Kim Kaufman was born on August 16, 1991, in Huron, South Dakota, and grew up in the nearby community of Clark. She attended Clark High School, where she became a four-time South Dakota state champion in golf. Kaufman was also selected as an all-state golfer in each of her four years of high school competition.
At the junior level, Kaufman proved to be one of the most decorated young players in her region. She captured six titles at the South Dakota Golf Association Junior Championship and posted a career-low competitive round of 66. She qualified three times for the U.S. Girls’ Junior, reaching the quarterfinals in 2009, and also competed in three U.S. Women’s Amateurs and two U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links championships.
Following her successful high school career, Kaufman enrolled at Texas Tech University, where she played collegiate golf from 2009 to 2013. Her college career peaked in the fall of 2012, when she was ranked the No. 1 female golfer in the country by Golfweek. That same fall, she was honored as the Golfweek Player of the Fall and was later named the Texas Tech Female Athlete of the Year in 2013.
Path to Professional Golf
After completing her collegiate eligibility, Kaufman turned professional in 2013 and joined the Symetra Tour, the official developmental circuit of the LPGA. In her rookie season, she made 10 cuts in 10 starts and earned her first professional victory at the Island Resort Championship, defeating Japan’s Mitsuki Katahira in a playoff. Her consistent play that year positioned her for a run at the LPGA.
At the end of the 2013 season, Kaufman advanced to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she finished tied for 23rd to earn full membership on the LPGA Tour for the 2014 season. Her quick rise from college standout to Symetra Tour winner to LPGA rookie reflected a steady and well-managed transition to the professional ranks.
Kim Kaufman Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Kaufman’s professional career began on the Symetra Tour in 2013, where her playoff victory at the Island Resort Championship immediately established her as a player to watch. Her ability to perform under pressure in her debut season gave her confidence heading into the qualifying tournament later that year.
As a 2014 LPGA Tour rookie, Kaufman produced several strong finishes, including a tie for fourth at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and a tie for fifth at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. She concluded her rookie campaign ranked 58th on the LPGA Tour money list, a solid start that confirmed her place among the tour’s promising young players.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2015–2016)
Kaufman’s breakthrough on the LPGA Tour came in 2015, when she finished as runner-up at the Blue Bay LPGA, her best result on tour at that point. That season, she wrapped up the year ranked 45th on the money list, showing clear progress in her second year on tour.
In 2016, Kaufman achieved another important milestone when she surpassed the $1 million mark in career earnings following a tie for seventh at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. She also climbed to a career-high No. 67 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, signaling that she had firmly established herself as a competitive LPGA player.
Health Setback and Symetra Return (2017–2020)
After finishing 53rd on the money list in 2016 and 58th in 2017, Kaufman’s momentum was disrupted when she was diagnosed with mononucleosis while competing in Japan. During her recovery, she suffered a separate injury after falling down a flight of stairs and hurting her wrist, which significantly affected her play. As a result, she finished 123rd on the money list in 2018 and faced the prospect of losing her tour card.
To retain her playing privileges for 2019, Kaufman returned to qualifying at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series, where she tied for 11th to keep her card. In 2020, she found herself back on the Symetra Tour, where she won the Four Winds Invitational and finished third on the Symetra Tour money list, demonstrating her trademark resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kaufman is known for her composed demeanor, steady ball-striking, and ability to perform consistently in competitive situations. Her background as a top-ranked amateur and her success in match-play events, including junior championships, point to a player who thrives in head-to-head formats. Her approach combines disciplined course management with a competitive edge developed through years of high-level amateur and professional play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kaufman’s career are her playoff victory at the Island Resort Championship on the Symetra Tour in 2013, her runner-up finish at the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA, and surpassing $1 million in career earnings in 2016. Her return to the winner’s circle with the Four Winds Invitational in 2020 after a difficult stretch marked by illness and injury stands as a testament to her perseverance and passion for the game.
Kim Kaufman Career Wins
Kim Kaufman has accumulated a small but meaningful collection of professional victories across the Symetra Tour, highlighted by her 2013 playoff win and her 2020 success at the Four Winds Invitational. These wins have been important stepping stones that have allowed her to remain active in professional golf and continue competing at the highest levels.
Symetra Tour Highlights
Kaufman’s first professional win came at the 2013 Island Resort Championship, where she defeated Japan’s Mitsuki Katahira in a playoff after making 10 cuts in 10 starts that season. She added a second Symetra Tour title in 2020 with a victory at the Four Winds Invitational, capping a strong season in which she finished third on the Symetra Tour money list. Her Symetra Tour playoff record stands at 1–0.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her Symetra Tour victories, Kaufman has recorded multiple top finishes on the LPGA Tour, including a runner-up result at the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA and a tie for fourth at the 2014 North Texas LPGA Shootout. She has also competed in major championships, including the U.S. Women’s Open, where she was caddied for by her husband in 2020.
Kim Kaufman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kim Kaufman was raised in Clark, South Dakota, where she developed her early love for golf through the local junior circuit. Her upbringing in a tight-knit Midwestern community helped shape her strong work ethic and grounded personality, traits that have been evident throughout her professional career.
Personal Life
Kaufman is married to Johan Wolkesson, a Sweden-born professional golfer who has also caddied for her, including at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open. The couple shares a connection to the sport, and Wolkesson has been a steady presence in her professional journey. Kaufman resides in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continues to train and compete.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Kim Kaufman continues to navigate her career in professional golf, drawing on the experience and resilience that have defined her journey. With several years of professional competition behind her, she remains a respected competitor who has shown an ability to return from setbacks and perform under pressure. Her past success on both the LPGA Tour and the Symetra Tour provides a strong foundation for continued competition in the years ahead.
Kaufman’s combination of past major experience, including a runner-up finish at a top LPGA event, and her proven ability to win on the Symetra Tour keeps her in position to compete for opportunities at the highest level. Her competitive spirit, shaped by years of challenges and comebacks, continues to define her career trajectory.
Looking ahead, Kaufman remains focused on maintaining her health, competing consistently, and contributing to the sport she has dedicated her life to. Her journey from a small town in South Dakota to the LPGA Tour stands as a model of perseverance, and her continued presence in professional golf is a testament to her enduring passion for the game.