Mina Harigae Kreiter Bio
Mina Harigae Kreiter is an American professional golfer who has competed on the LPGA Tour since 2010. Born on November 1, 1989, in Monterey, California, she is recognized for a successful amateur career that included the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links title and four consecutive California Women’s Amateur Championship wins. After turning professional in 2009, she quickly earned a place on the LPGA Tour and has remained an active competitor in the women’s professional game. In 2022, she posted one of the most high-profile runner-up finishes in recent women’s golf history.
Early Life and Background
Mina Harigae Kreiter was born in Monterey, California, to Japanese parents who operated a sushi restaurant called Takara Sushi in nearby Pacific Grove, California. Growing up in the coastal Monterey Peninsula, she was introduced to golf at a young age and developed her game in a region known for a strong golfing tradition. Her early environment, combined with family support, helped nurture the discipline and competitive mindset that would shape her future career.
As a young amateur, Kreiter became one of the most decorated junior golfers in California history. She won the California Women’s Amateur Championship four consecutive years from 2001 to 2005, first capturing the title as a 12-year-old, making her the youngest winner of the event. She continued her amateur success in 2007 by winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, one of the most prestigious amateur titles in women’s golf.
Kreiter attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California, before enrolling at Duke University. After one year at Duke, she made the decision to leave college and turn professional, choosing to pursue her golf career full-time.
Path to Professional Golf
Mina Harigae Kreiter’s path to the LPGA Tour was built on a foundation of standout amateur results and a quick adjustment to competitive professional golf. In 2009, she joined the Futures Tour, the LPGA Tour’s official developmental circuit, and immediately delivered a dominant performance. She won three tournaments during the season and finished as the tour’s leading money winner, an accomplishment that earned her the 2009 Futures Tour Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards.
Her success on the Futures Tour secured full membership on the LPGA Tour beginning with the 2010 season. The transition from amateur standout to professional competitor was completed in a single season, underscoring her readiness for the highest level of women’s golf.
Mina Harigae Kreiter Career
Early Career (2010–2011)
Upon joining the LPGA Tour in 2010, Mina Harigae Kreiter began adjusting to the demands of full-time professional competition. Her rookie season was a period of development, as she gained experience against many of the top players in the women’s game. She continued to compete regularly on the LPGA Tour and on smaller developmental circuits, including the Cactus Tour, where she added further victories to her résumé.
Her early professional years were marked by steady progress and additional wins, as she worked to establish herself as a consistent presence on the LPGA Tour. The experience gained during this period laid the groundwork for her later breakthroughs.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2012–2021)
Throughout the 2010s, Mina Harigae Kreiter became a familiar name on the LPGA Tour, regularly contending in events and adding to her professional win total. She competed in major championships and represented the United States in team competitions, including the Solheim Cup. Her game was built on accuracy, course management, and the calm temperament that had defined her amateur play.
By the early 2020s, Kreiter had established herself as a consistent performer. She had compiled multiple professional victories across the LPGA Tour, Futures Tour, and Cactus Tour, and she remained a steady presence in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.
U.S. Women’s Open Runner-Up (2022)
The defining moment of Mina Harigae Kreiter’s professional career came in 2022 at the U.S. Women’s Open, one of the most prestigious events in women’s golf. Kreiter finished in second place, four strokes behind champion Minjee Lee. Her runner-up finish earned her a payday of $1,080,000, the largest single payout of her career to that point.
The 2022 U.S. Women’s Open was also notable as the largest purse in women’s golf history at $10 million, with the champion’s share of $1.8 million setting a new record. Kreiter’s performance in the championship placed her in the spotlight and elevated her status within the women’s game.
Continued LPGA Tour Career (2023–Present)
Following her U.S. Women’s Open runner-up finish, Mina Harigae Kreiter continued to compete on the LPGA Tour. In March 2023, she married Travis Kreiter, her longtime caddie. Since 2024, she has competed under the name Mina Kreiter.
She has remained a consistent presence on tour, continuing to compete in major championships and regular LPGA events. Her experience and course management have made her a respected competitor among her peers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable milestones in Mina Harigae Kreiter’s career are her 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links title, her record-setting four consecutive California Women’s Amateur Championship wins from 2001 to 2005, and her runner-up finish at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. Her 2009 Futures Tour sweep of three wins, the leading money winner title, and both the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards also stand out as defining early professional achievements.
Mina Harigae Kreiter Career Wins
Mina Harigae Kreiter has accumulated professional victories across multiple tours. Her career wins include titles on the Futures Tour, the LPGA Tour, and the Cactus Tour, with additional amateur victories during her junior and teenage years.
LPGA Tour Highlights
Kreiter has been a full-time member of the LPGA Tour since 2010 and has recorded multiple professional wins during her career. Her most high-profile result came at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, where her second-place finish earned her $1,080,000 and brought her widespread recognition. She has also represented the United States in team competitions, including the Solheim Cup.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her LPGA Tour results, Kreiter has recorded three wins on the Futures Tour in 2009 and additional victories on the Cactus Tour. Her amateur record, which includes four consecutive California Women’s Amateur titles and the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, remains one of the most impressive in California golf history.
Mina Harigae Kreiter Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mina Harigae Kreiter was born to Japanese parents who operated a sushi restaurant called Takara Sushi in Pacific Grove, California. She grew up in the Monterey Peninsula area and attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach before enrolling at Duke University, where she studied for one year before turning professional.
In March 2023, Kreiter married Travis Kreiter, who had served as her caddie. Since 2024, she has competed professionally under the name Mina Kreiter. The couple resides in Mesa, Arizona.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Mina Harigae Kreiter continued her long tenure on the LPGA Tour, building on the momentum generated by her 2022 U.S. Women’s Open runner-up finish. Her experience and consistency have made her a regular contender in tour events, and she has remained a familiar presence in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.
As a veteran of the tour, Kreiter’s 2025 campaign is centered on competing in major championships and maintaining a strong position among the top American players. Her marriage to longtime caddie Travis Kreiter has added continuity to her team, and her established course management skills continue to serve her well in high-pressure situations.
Looking ahead, Kreiter’s outlook for 2025 is shaped by her track record of steady performance and her ability to contend in the largest events. Her career-best U.S. Women’s Open finish remains a benchmark, and she continues to be recognized as one of the most experienced American players on the LPGA Tour.