As it warms up, Minjee Lee is aiming for a grand slam of her career and an elusive crown at the Australian Open after winning the richest and most prestigious women’s golf event.
Key points:
- Minjee Lee has joined Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as Australia’s only big winning women
- Lee now has two of the top five trophies, the Evian Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open
- Lee’s next major event will be the PGA Women’s Championship at the Maryland Congress from June 23-26.
Two days after winning a $ 14 million four-time U.S. Open at the Pine Needles, Lee still feels “surreal” to have joined legends Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as the only multiple winners in Australia.
“It’s really a great honor and so special for me to be one of the many important champions. It’s very beautiful,” the 26-year-old said Wednesday from her Dallas base.
But the world’s new No. 3, who could occupy the top spot of Korean Jin Young Ko if she continues her hot career in 2022, says she’s not done yet.
“I definitely want to win the other three majors,” Lee said.
“I’m not sure when that will be, but I hope to be able to make it happen soon.
“We have three left for our season, so I hope to have a good streak.”
Lee now holds two of the top five trophies, the Evian Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open titles.
Next up is the PGA Women’s Championship in Congress in Maryland from June 23-26, followed by Evian Lee’s defense in France from July 21-24.
The British Women’s Open in Muirfield in Scotland completes the senior women’s this season from 4 to 7 August.
Minjee Lee has moved up to No. 3 in the rankings after winning the U.S. Women’s Open. (Getty Images: Harry How)
The Perth ace will enter all three and any intermediate event, full of belief after winning his last two punching events and leading the LPGA Tour 2022 scoring average thanks to his supreme ball stroke and his impeccable work with the putter.
“I feel like my ball kick has come a long way over the last two years,” Lee said.
“All the effort I put into fixing my swing and working my strength, it all comes together.
“That’s why everything has paid off so far this year.
“So I’m pretty sure I can compete on the biggest stage in women’s golf and I have a feeling I can compete in every tournament I play right now.
“I’m in a very confident space.”
Lee modestly downplayed the conversation that had taken the mantle of retired tennis superstar Ash Barty as Australia’s leading female sports talent.
“I’m not sure if I can compare myself to Ash yet,” he said.
“But it’s very nice. I don’t think there’s been much talk about golf in general, so if I can put golf on the map in Australia, or even women’s golf in Australia, I’m doing a good job.”
But the two-time big winner certainly has no plans to suddenly walk away from the sport like Barty.
“I don’t see myself retiring anytime soon,” Lee said.
“I have a lot of things I still want to achieve and things I want to do in golf.”
Includes winning the Australian Open for the first time.
In a new world, this year’s Open at Kingston Heath in Melbourne from 1 to 4 December will feature men and women playing at the same time, increasing the chances that Lee will be able to compete alongside his brother Min Woo, who plays on the PGA Tour.
“There’s no more honor than winning your national open,” Lee said.
“I won the Junior Aussie and the Amateur Aussie, and I could finish the Aussie Open.
“I hope I can do that.”
AAP