Minjee Lee, a resident of Dallas, delivered a poised and steady performance to win the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas. This marks her third career major and first win since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. The Australian golfer finished with a final round score of 2-over 74, securing a three-shot victory over rising talents Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen.
Lee began the day with a commanding four-stroke lead and maintained her advantage through challenging, windy conditions. Despite five bogeys, she balanced the round with three birdies and demonstrated strong mental composure, especially in key moments on the back nine. Her crucial par save on the 13th hole and back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15 helped her regain control and head into the final holes with a solid lead. Lee’s calm finish included routine pars on 17 and 18, capping off an impressive tournament win and her 11th LPGA Tour victory.
Competition Heats Up with Young Challengers
The final round witnessed a surge from young competitors eager to make their mark. Auston Kim, a recent Epson Tour graduate, mounted a serious challenge by scoring three consecutive birdies on the front nine. She carded a 68 in the final round to finish tied for second, a career-best major result. Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen matched Kim’s final-round performance and also claimed her highest placement in a major championship.
Jeeno Thitikul, who started the day in second place, struggled to keep up with Lee’s pace. A series of bogeys, including a costly one on the 13th, pushed her out of contention. Thitikul finished in a tie for fourth with Japan’s Chisato Iwai, both ending the tournament at 1-over. Other notable finishes included Miyu Yamashita and Angel Yin tying for sixth, while Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi and Somi Lee shared eighth. Wei-Ling Hsu and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard rounded out the top ten. Defending champion Amy Yang did not cut this year.
Minjee Lee Joins Elite Company in Australian Golf History
With this victory, Minjee Lee becomes the fourth Australian woman to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, joining the ranks of Hannah Green, Jan Stephenson, and Karrie Webb. She is now one win shy of achieving a Career Grand Slam and stands alongside Stephenson and Webb as the only Australians with three or more major titles.
Minjee Lee expressed deep gratitude for joining such elite company, especially with Green, a close friend and fellow LPGA player, present during her celebration. Green was among those who showered Lee with champagne on the 18th green, acknowledging the hard-fought battle her compatriot endured throughout the tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Lee said, “I feel like I deserve this one. I put a lot of hard work into it. I feel really good.”
As the LPGA Tour looks ahead, Lee will return to defend her title next year at the same venue, where she and Green will share the spotlight as past champions.
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