In a challenging tournament in which only three players finished under par, Minjee Lee followed up a bogey-free third round with a final round 74 (+2) to win by 3 strokes over American Auston Kim and Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen.
The third major of the year was quite the test for the best in the world at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. With the cut at +8, it was difficult for winners this season, such as Mao Saigo and Madelene Sagstrom. All top 100 players on the LPGA Tour were in the field this week.
Entering the weekend, Jeeno Thitikul was at the top of the leaderboard at 6-under following rounds of 68 (-4) and 70 (-2). Minjee Lee was in second at 3-under, with Lexi Thompson and Rio Takeda behind at two under. From there, M. Lee never looked back, carding a bogey-free 69 (-3) to take a four-stroke lead over Thitikul going into the final round.
Although M. Lee’s final round was 74 (+2), she maintained a multiple-shot lead at all times throughout her round. Her back nine 35 (E) was more than enough to secure the win.
When asked what her plan was going into the final round, M. Lee said, “Stick to my game plan. It’s a battle against myself, pretty much, especially with how tough the conditions were this whole week, not just today, just amplified today because it’s Major Sunday.”
This is the 11th tour win and the third major victory of M. Lee’s career. Her two other wins came at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship. She can complete her Career Grand Slam by either winning the AIG Women’s Open or the Chevron Championship. Her three major titles put her in a special group with Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson, the only other two Aussies to have 3 or more major championships to their names.
With her win, M. Lee takes home $1.8 million along with 650 points in the Race to CME Globe. She is projected to move into second place in the standings.
