Who is Helen Briem, the 6 foot 3 German teenager making golf history?

Rapid rise
Just months as a pro
A tall presence
A standout
Rose through the ranks
Family affair
Crucial at the Junior Ryder Cup
Record breaker
The breakout year
History maker
Number one amateur
Going pro
What a year!
What next?
Rapid rise

In the world of golf, few players have enjoyed the rapid ascension that Germany's Helen Briem has experienced over the last couple of years. Not only has the 19-year-old been unmatched at the amateur level, she now looks set to conquer as a professional as well after winning the La Sella Open on Sunday.

Just months as a pro

Briem won the Spanish tourmanent on 22 September, beating former number Pauline Roussin-Bouchard no less, to claim her second professional title turning pro in July – and her fifth overall.

"I’m just really proud"

"Honestly, I have no words," Briem told Ladies European Tour (LET) media after her victory in Spain on Sunday. "It’s incredible—my first LET event as a professional and only my third overall. I’m just really proud."

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A tall presence

Still a teenager and at 6 foot 3 inches, Briem is set to be an imposing figure in women's golf for years to come, in more ways than one. Let's take a closer look at Briem's journey so far.

A standout

Briem's golfing journey began at a young age, and she quickly stood out due to her talent and dedication. Hailing from Nürtingen, Germany, she made her mark on the European amateur circuit well before 2024.

Rose through the ranks

From the beginning, Briem's height and athleticism set her apart, giving her a natural advantage on the course. She also demonstrated a keen sense of focus and determination, qualities that helped her rise through the junior ranks in European golf.

Family affair

Briem's journey into golf began at an early age, nurtured by a deep family connection to the sport. Growing up in Nürtingen, Germany, Briem was introduced to golf by her father, Jochen, who played a pivotal role in her development both as a caddie and mentor. What started as a fun activity with her dad quickly turned into a serious pursuit as Briem's talent became evident.

"It’s incredible what he does for me on a daily basis"

"The support my dad has given me is incredible, I mean we started not with the intention to be professional but starting golf together to have fun," she told Ladies European Tour in June 2024.  "It’s incredible what he does for me on a daily basis."

Crucial at the Junior Ryder Cup

By the time she reached her teenage years, she was already a dominant figure in junior golf, leading her to compete in prestigious tournaments like the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup and the 2021 and 2023 Junior Solheim Cup, where she would play a crucial role in her team's wins.

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Record breaker

In 2023, Briem claimed the Girls Amateur Championship with a commanding 12 & 10 victory, setting a new record. She followed this success by winning the Portuguese International Ladies Amateur Championship in January 2024. In May of the same year, Briem dramatically birdied the final four holes to shoot a final-round 64 at the Dormy Open Helsingborg, a LET event.

The breakout year

While those early successes were important for any aspiring golfer, it’s the latter half of 2024 that things really heat up for Briem.

History maker

She made history by securing three consecutive professional tournament wins as an amateur. In June, she won the Montauban Ladies Open, the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge and the Santander Golf Tour Ávila – the latter a record-breaking round of 62 (-10) in Ávila, Spain, which tied the lowest 18-hole score on the tour, as reported by Women & Golf magazine.

Number one amateur

This success saw her become the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world – a particularly impressive feat given she was just 18 at the time and did this while completing her A-levels, as reported by LET.

Going pro

She did not stay there for long, though, and by July 2024 she had decided to turn professional.

What a year!

By September, Briem secured her first professional title as a pro golfer at the Rose Ladies Open, winning in a playoff. With this victory, she became the first player to claim four titles in a single season on the LET Access Series. Her recent form has been remarkable, with finishes of 2-1-1-1-T4-1 in her last six Rolex-ranked events.

 

What next?

Briem had already secured her place on the Ladies European Tour for 2025 thanks to her amateur results. It will be interesting to see what comes next for the young golfer, who has already made waves with just her first dalliances as a pro.

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