Minjee Lee won the US Women’s Open by four strokes over Mina Harigae at Pine Needles to win the largest payout in the history of women’s golf at $1.8 million.
Lee led throughout the final round and shot even-par 71 in significantly tougher conditions compared to the past three days to finish 13-under 271 coming close to the tournament record of 16 under set by Juli Inkster in 1999 at Old Waverly.
Harigae shot a 72 for her best finish in a major and collected a check of slightly more than $1 million.
South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi carded a 70 to finish third at 7 under while her countrymate Jin Young Ko, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, finished fourth at 6 under.
Minjee Lee, who won her first major title at last year’s Evian Championship, joins Karrie Webb (2000 and 2001) and Jan Stephenson (1983) as the only Australians to win the U.S. Women’s Open.
Starting the final round with a three-shot lead over Harigae after rounds of 67, 66, and 67, Lee quickly extended her advantage.
Birdies on the first two holes moved her to 15 under and a five-stroke lead over her closet rival.
Though Lee hit a couple of loose shots and made a couple of bogeys on the demanding front nine, nobody could make a run as a fluctuating breeze, firm conditions turned the round into a battle of attrition.
Lee outdrove Harigae by 30 yards or thereabouts every time while also putting with authority to open up enough lead to enjoy the final few holes.
Lee, who entered the week ranked No. 4 in the world, has now won eight LPGA Tour events and became the first repeat winner this year following her victory at the Founders Cup just three weeks ago in New Jersey.
