Australian golfer Minjee Lee has won the Women’s PGA Championship in Texas — the third golf major of her career.
The 29-year old Perth-born champion won by three shots, beating close rivals Auston Kim of the US and Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen. She took home prize money worth $2.8 million, making her Australia’s highest-earning female athlete.
Speaking after her win at Fields Ranch in Frisco, Texas, the West Australian said, “I just felt like some shots were going my way, and some shots weren’t. But I knew there were some opportunities coming down the stretch to make some birdies.”
“A lot of patience out there today,” she added, accepting the winner’s trophy. “I saw every single leaderboard, and I knew exactly where I was. I’d check the scores, then I’d just come back to each shot and try to execute it the best I could.”
“I just said stick to my game plan. It’s a battle against myself pretty much, especially with how tough the conditions were all week, amplified because it was major Sunday.”
Lee’s previous two golf majors include the Evian Championship in 2021 and US Open in 2022. Her win over the weekend makes her only the fourth Australian to win three or more golf majors in a career.
Lee’s mother and career-long coach was greenside as she made her championship shot.
“At this point in your career, I mean, my parents have sacrificed so much for me to be here,” Lee said. “My dad’s back in Oz — I don’t know what time it is there — but he’s tuning in and they’ve always got my back, so it’s really nice and it’s great support and unconditional.”
“I can’t say more things than I’ve already. It’s just extra special that I could win in front of them and obviously wherever Min is [her younger brother], he’s supporting me out there. He’s a social media nut so he’s all on top of that, so it is really cool.”
Lee’s brother, PGA Tour winner Min Woo, said his sister was “built for the majors”.
“Her game is built for the majors, she’s very solid and her mental side is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Just the way she carries herself on the golf course. She’s very level headed and she, you know, you I always say she’s a robot, she doesn’t make that many mistakes, and she just goes along her business.”
“So it’s very cool to see that it pays off and, yeah, she’s had a really successful year, so a successful career, I would say, so it’s really cool. It’s very exciting to see her back in the winner’s circle and I’m very proud of her.”
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