Lee wins Blue Bay LPGA title
Australian golfer Minjee Lee won her third career title on the LPGA Tour and second of the season when she won the Blue Bay LPGA event at Hainan Island in China, when firing a two-under-par 70 for a one-stroke victory and a total of 13 under on Sunday.
She finished one shot ahead of American Jessica Korda and two-strokes ahead of Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn.
In an interview afterwards, the 20-year-old Lee said she was very happy with her victory. “Obviously because I won, I'm very happy right now,” Lee told the media afterwards.
“But yeah, going into the final round, I knew that it was going to be a good fight today. So yeah, I think yeah, if we kept trading scores, yeah, it was a good fight out there, and I fought to the end.”
Having led over the first two days in China, Lee carded a disappointing third round of 73 which enabled Korda to catch her, coming back from seven strokes off the pace, to co-lead with Lee going into the final round after a stunning six under 66.
On Sunday, Lee retook the lead early, making a birdie on the opening hole to pull ahead of her playing partners, Korda and Jutanugarn. Then at the seventh hole, a birdie by Lee and bogey by Korda extended her lead to three shots.
Jutanugarn, who started the day two off the pace, made her move after an even par front nine with birdies at the 11th and 14th holes. Then at the par three 17th, Jutanugarn birdied again while Lee missed her putt and bogeyed sending the two tied for the lead going into the 18th hole at 12 under with Korda at 11 under.
The par five 18th hole, which had been kind to players all week, proved to be Jutanugarn's undoing when she pulled her tee shot left into the water and went on to make a bogey. Korda found the fairway and went on to make birdie.
Lee then made her birdie at the last, to win by one shot at 13 under, one ahead of Korda, who carded a final round one under 71.
Jutangarn posted a final round two under 70 to finish third for her 14th top-10 finish of the year, including her five victories.
Latest
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.
-
European TourRory McIlroy begins Italian Open with superb 67 after recovering from slow start
He kick-started his round by holing out from 115 yards for an eagle on the par-four third.
-
European TourShane Lowry: Golf risks alienating fans with disgusting amount of money involved
The BMW PGA Championship winner insists he was never tempted to join LIV Golf.