Frisco, Texas – Only three players finished the week under par on Kerry Haig’s setup at Field’s Ranch East for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Several players complained the course was too tough, but the 29 year-old Aussie wasn’t having any of it – once again showing her mental toughness in winning her third major title. Lee handled the pressure down the stretch with poise, a grinder’s win, finishing the final round with a 2-over 74 (five bogeys and three birdies) in the windy conditions
Minjee Lee proved up to the test, this one was no doubt the hardest. Four years ago, she captured the Evian Championship, followed by the U.S. Women’s Open the next summer in 2022 at Pine Needles. In Frisco, she won by 3 shots over Austin Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen. Jeeno Thitikul led after 54 holes by 3 shots, but shot 76 on Sunday to fall back. Saturday’s third round featured the week’s toughest windy conditions, the firm and fast course required as much mental strength as physical execution. Mistakes would be made by all, the bigger question was, who could remain calm and focused throughout. The 29-year-old Aussie, got stronger as her challengers wilted. Lee produced a clean card that included three birdies in her third round 69. It was a masterful performance for Minjee, who is steadily building what looks to be a Hall of Fame career. Eleven victories and 3 majors is an amazing career for most, but it seems that Minjee is just hitting the prime of her career.
Always known as a great ball-striker, Lee ranked first in Strokes Gained at Frisco, significant data points indicating she held it together better than anyone in the field. She stumbled with a bogey on the par-4 16th hole to fall back to 4-under, but it didn’t matter. Routine pars on 17 and 18 were all Lee needed to get her 11th career victory putting the Aussie one win away from the Career Grand Slam.
“It feels pretty amazing,” Lee said. “I feel like I really deserve this one. I put a lot of hard work into it. I feel really good.”
