Minjee Lee Wins Maiden Major Title In Dramatic Playoff
Minjee Lee Wins Maiden Major Title In Dramatic Playoff
Minjee Lee produced a stunning second shot at the first playoff hole to defeat Jeongeun Lee6 and claim the Amundi Evian Championship.
Minjee Lee Wins Maiden Major Title In Dramatic Playoff
The Australian, whose last victory came in 2019, overcame a seven shot deficit with a stunning finish of four birdies in the last five holes to win her biggest title to date.
Making birdie at the opening hole, Lee would make further birdies at the 7th and 9th to bring the margin down slightly.
Overnight leader, Jeongeun Lee6, on the other hand would struggle, with five bogies on her front nine evaporating her five shot overnight lead.
With the action moving onto the back nine, it was now 19-year-old, Yealimi Noh, who would inherit the top spot, with four birdies and one bogey putting the American ahead.
The lead would soon change hands once again. With Lee making birdies at the 14th, 15th and the 16th to get into a one shot lead.
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Making a stunning par at the 17th, the Australian would hole yet another birdie putt at the last to sit in the clubhouse with a two shot buffer.
Related: Women's Olympic Golf Field
But her rivals were far from done and, despite her poor start, Lee6 was starting to build momentum, with birdies at the 16th and 17th putting her just one shot back of the Australian.
Finding the par-5 18th in two, the South Korean would have an eagle putt for the title. However, she would just miss, tapping in for a third straight birdie and a spot in the playoff.
With both splitting the fairway with their tee shots, it would be Lee who would strike first, pumping a 6-iron to less than 10-feet, handing the pressure over to Lee6.
And the strain would show, with the 25-year-old making poor contact and finding the lake guarding the 18th green.
Failing to get up and down, Lee would two putt to win her first Major title and become just the fourth female Major winner from Australia.
"I had around 173 metres into the pin, and with a little bit of adrenaline I actually said 5-iron, but my caddie said 6, so thank you to Gilly.
"But I'm really happy. I never really thought the about the margin when I was playing. I just tried to make as many birdies as I could. I saw the leaderboard like once or twice on the way round.
"I'm sure my family are watching, even though it's really early in the morning, so I just want to say thank you for everything. They've sacrificed so much for me and I know they will be really happy, as am I." Said Lee.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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