Aussie Lee celebrates birthday with LPGA victory
LOS ANGELES – Agence France-Presse
Australia’s Minjee Lee celebrated her 22nd birthday with a victory in the LPGA’s Volvik Championship in Michigan, a birdie at the final hole lifting her to a one-shot win over Kim In-kyung.
Lee, who took a two-shot lead into the final round, fired a four-under par 68 for a 16-under par total of 272.
A three-putt bogey at 17 had dropped her into a tie for the lead with Kim, who had capped her 67 with a tap-in birdie at the last for a 15-under total of 273.
At Travis Pointe’s par-five 18th, Lee’s second shot landed just right of the green. She chipped to within three feet and drained the putt for her fourth LPGA victory and her first since 2016.
“I’ve been playing pretty solid the whole year,” said Lee, whose five prior top-10 finishes in 2018 included a playoff loss to Lydia Ko in San Francisco in April.
“It’s nice to have a win before the Open,” added Lee, already looking ahead to the U.S. Women’s Open that starts May 31 in Shoal Creek in Alabama.
“Next week is going to be a totally different week, so I’ll just try my best. I know I’m hitting it pretty solid, I’m putting solid, so hopefully I’ll have a good week.”
