Historic Victory in Frisco
Australian golfer Minjee Lee secured her third career major on Sunday at the Women’s PGA Championship, joining the elite ranks of Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as the only Australian women with three major titles. The 29-year-old held her nerve in tough conditions at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas, finishing with a 2-over 74 in the final round to win by three strokes. Her nearest challengers, American Auston Kim and Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen, both finished three shots behind. Despite the relentless wind and high temperatures that challenged every competitor, Lee maintained composure throughout the week, finishing at 4-under overall, one of only three players to end the tournament under par.
Minjee Lee victory marks her 11th career LPGA Tour title and her first since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. The win also made her the fourth Australian woman to lift the Women’s PGA Championship trophy, placing her two major victories away from completing a career grand slam. To reach that historic milestone, she still needs wins at the Women’s British Open and the Chevron Championship.
A Masterclass in Composure and Patience
Entering the final round with a four-shot lead, Lee’s performance fluctuated but never faltered. Even as she dropped three bogeys in the front nine, none of her closest competitors were able to take advantage. World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, her playing partner on Sunday, finished 1-over for the day and settled for a tied fourth position.
Minjee Lee later shared that she made a conscious effort to stay informed throughout the round by checking the leaderboards. Her ability to stay calm, despite occasional errant drives and pressure from the field, played a critical role in her victory. “It was just so tough with the wind,” Lee said. “Some of the drives I hit were terrible, but I managed myself well. I just tried to make bogeys and avoid disaster.”
She particularly targeted the 14th and 15th holes as key birdie chances, staying patient through the earlier holes. Her mental resilience and strategic approach helped her withstand both the course and her competitors.
Celebration, Recognition, and a $1.8 Million Payday
Minjee Lee was met with champagne celebrations on the 18th green after sealing her win. She also took home $1.8 million from a record $12 million prize pool, up from $10.4 million last year, marking another significant achievement in her already decorated career.
Fellow Australian golfer and past Women’s PGA Champion Hannah Green was among those celebrating Lee’s triumph. “Super proud,” Green said, adding that last year’s near-miss at the U.S. Women’s Open likely motivated Lee even more. “She’s come close in many majors. This win shows her mental strength, especially after what happened last year.”
With this milestone, Minjee Lee has not only etched her name further into Australia’s golfing history but has also taken a major step toward one of the sport’s most coveted achievements: the career grand slam.
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