Minjee Lee wins 9th LPGA Tour title in Ohio
Minjee Lee – image Getty Images / LPGA
Australian Minjee Lee has somehow found the resolve to bounce back from a struggling final nine holes at the Kroger Queen City Championship in Ohio to win a playoff against England’s Charley Hull and secure her 9th LPGA Tour title.
Lee looked to have taken control of the event when she took a two-shot lead into the final round and raced to the turn in 3 under to open up a four-shot lead. It was increased to five when Hull bogeyed the 10th but the final nine would see things change dramatically.
The very much in form and improved Hull put together a final nine of 34 and when Lee double bogeyed the 12th after hitting her second shot out of bounds and was unable to recover over the closing six holes, she entered a playoff against Hull who was seeking a third LPGA Tour victory.
The first extra hole was shared but, at the second, Lee’s approach finished two feet from the hole and when she converted it was all over.
“I had a few moments where I felt I was losing, but I wasn’t,” Lee said. “I was like, ‘Let’s play ‘til the end and see where it ends up.’ I didn’t give up. I played every shot the best I could and won the playoff, so it feels nice.”
Lee was especially pleased to have won just ahead of a break during which she will spend time in Perth.
“Actually, I’m not playing Arkansas and Dallas, so it does feel nice that I finished on a high this kind of stretch of tournaments.
“I’m actually looking forward to a couple of weeks off and some downtime. Going to go back to Perth during Arkansas and Dallas, so hopefully I can enjoy this one back home with my friends and family.”
For Lee, it was her first win of the 2023 season and just her third top ten.
Lee earns US$300,000 and takes her season’s earnings on the LPGA Tour to just under US$900,000 and career earnings to just over US$13 million.
Gabi Ruffels began the tournament well but had a tough weekend to finish 36th but was the next best of the Australians, Stephanie Kyriacou and Lydia Ko were 41st and Sarah Kemp 55th.
