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The slump that started in 2004 continued through
2005; fortunately, her 2004 money list finish bought her a
two year exemption on tour. In 2006, she still was pretty
much in the dumps most of the time, but had a few tournaments
where she showed her old form. At the Safeway International,
she even led much of the week, only to lose on the final hole
to Juli Inkster. Still, her second place finish was her best
in years.
In 2007, Sarah again returned to the form
that she had displayed during her golden run of 2003-4. The
result was a run of great tournaments, her best Major finishes
in years, and a 20th place finish on the money list, her best
ever.
She played well at several tournaments in
the Spring. At the Michelob Ultra, she even led for several
rounds before fading to third. The highlight of the year for
her came at the Sybase Classic the following week. She and
Lorena Ochoa were playing far better than anyone else in the
field. In the third round, the two were matched against each
other, and Sarah actually outplayed the number one golfer
in the world. It looked as though she might finally get that
elusive first win on tour, but on Sunday, she was not able
to keep it up, and Ochoa took the title. Lee would collect
yet another second place finish.
Late in the year, she played in the Kyoraku
and Lexus Cups. She was the vice-captain of the Lexus Cup,
in fact, and helped to lead Asia to a dominating win over
the International team in that event.
2008 was not a good year for Lee. She didn't
even post a top 20 all year, although she did occasionally
find herself in contention after two rounds. It was later
revealed that she was struggling with serious injuries much
of the season. In 2009, she made only one top ten and finished
79th on the money list. Fortunately for her, this was just
good enough to earn her top status for the 2010 season.
Lee did not have a good 2010 season, however,
and was not able to maintain top status on the LPGA. She announced
that she would be focusing on the KLPGA tour in 2011.
In fact, she did play a few LPGA events in
2011, with a top finish of 59th. But the rest of the time
she played in Korea. She had a pretty good year there. She
did not win, but did manage a second place at the year's final
Major, the KB Star, and a 3rd at the LIG Classic. She had
5 total top tens and finished 18th on the money list.
Lee struggled far more in 2012, finishing
60th on the KLPGA tour money list. She had one top ten, a
9th at the Doosan Match Play.
Lee finished just 70th on the KLPGA money
list in 2013, with a 16th place finish her best. But she had
other things on her mind: in March, she was stopped for DUI
and resisted getting a breathalyzer despite being asked 4
times. She apparently also acted belligerently towards the
officer, swearing and even hitting him on the chest. Lee was
arrested but later released. Later in the year, however, she
was found guilty and sentenced to two years probation and
120 hours of community service.
Lee had another weak season on the KLPGA tour
in 2014. She finished 79th on the money list, making just
34 million won. Her best finish was a 25th at the E1 Charity
Women's Open in May.
Lee has not played since then and may have
retired.
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