On her 22nd birthday, Minjee Lee fired a 68 on Sunday at Travis Pointe Country Club, highlighted by a final-hole birdie, to give herself a memorable present: a victory at the 2018 LPGA Volvik Championship.
Lee entered Sunday two clear of the field and maintained that edge after turning in 33. The 22-year old Aussie offset a lone bogey on the par-4 17th with a fifth birdie No. 18 to reach 16-under par, one clear of I.K. Kim, who posted a 67 on Sunday to sign for a four-day total of 15-under par, good for sole possession of second.
“I feel like because it was my birthday, either way I would have been happy,” said a beaming Lee.
“Obviously it’s nice to have a win, sort of a present to myself.”
It was Lee’s fourth LPGA victory, but first since the 2016 Blue Bay LPGA. With her win, Lee earned $195,000, totaling $628,726 for the season. She also earned 500 Race to CME Globe points and is projected to move to fourth place (from seventh) with 1,463.
Keeping up with the parity theme on Tour, Lee becomes the 13th winner (in 13 events) of 2018.
FINAL TOP 10
1 Minjee Lee -16
2 In-Kyung Kim -15
3 Moriya Jutanugarn -14
4 Su-Hyun Oh -13
4 Lindy Duncan -13
6 Megan Khang -12
7 Ariya Jutanugarn -11
7 Danielle Kang -11
7 Stacy Lewis -11
10 Seven Players Tied -10
WINNER’S STATS
Driving: 255.75
Fairways: 40/56 (71%)
Greens: 55/72 (76%)
Putting GIR: 1.78
Rounds: 70-69-67-67
Scores: 19 Birdies, 50 Pars, 3 Bogeys
Par 3s: E (16 Pars)
Par 4s: -9 (27 Pars, 11 Birdies, 2 Bogeys)
Par 5s: -7 (7 Pars, 8 Birdies, 1 Bogey)
QUOTABLE
ON NEXT WEEK’S U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN
“I’ve been playing pretty solid golf the whole year. Next week (U.S. Women’s Open) is going to be a totally different week. I know I’m striking it well and putting it well.”
– Minjee Lee
Credit: LPGA Tour Communications, Getty Images
