After a season of knocking on the door, Perth golfer Minjee Lee finally broke through for her first LPGA Tour victory of the year with a two-shot win at the Founders Cup in New Jersey.
But getting to the trophy presentation was, in Lee’s own words, “a fight” after a frustrating final-round that saw the 54-hole leader scratching at 1-over for the day by the 11th hole.
Minjee Lee, of Australia, poses with the trophy after winning the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup golf tournament.Credit:AP
The 25-year-old “fought really hard” however and finally made three birdies on the back nine, at 12, 14 and 18, to hold off American Lexi Thompson and claim her seventh LPGA Tour title at the Upper Montclair Country Club course.
Lee’s round of 70 was her first at the tournament not in the 60s – a second-round 63 the highlight – and was below her LPGA Tour-leading scoring average of 68.89.
But it was enough for Lee to break through for her first win since claiming her first major at last year’s Evian Championship in France.
The world No.5 will see her world ranking climb after the win, which will push Lee ahead of Cam Smith (5) as Australia’s highest ranked golfer.
Minjee Lee reacts as she sinks her final putt to win.Credit:AP
“I just feel like I’ve kind of been trending,” Lee said.
“I’ve been hitting it really, really well this whole — I mean, this whole season, and I just felt like it was kind of around the corner. I kept knocking on the door, and here I am now.
Minjee Lee wins seventh career LPGA title with fighting victory
Source: Philippines Alive
