Lee headed into the ultimate day driving the tide of an extraordinary first 3 rounds, capturing 67, 66, 67 to wreck Juli Inkster’s 23-year-old checklist throughout 54 holes with a 13-under par 200.
The scintillating get started supposed that even a level-par 71 at the ultimate spherical did not forestall the 26-year-old from breaking the 72-hole championship scoring checklist, pipping Inkster, In Gee Chun and Annika Sorenstam via one stroke along with her 13-under 271 end.
Main via six pictures on the twelfth gap and completing 4 strokes forward of American Mina Harigae, her victory had seemed to be a procession even earlier than the Australian took to the overall tee — however to not Lee.
“I used to be frightened as hell,” Lee admitted to CNN’s Global Recreation. “However it was once lovely cool.
“Strolling down that 18th gap … taking a look at all of the crowd, taking a look on the end line — it was once only a in reality particular second.”
‘It is a great point for the ladies’s sport’
In lifting the Harton S. Semple trophy, Lee was the primary Australian to take action since Karrie Webb in 2001, and was once rewarded for her efforts with a champagne bathe courtesy of compatriot Hannah Inexperienced.
2d-placed Harigae earned the most important runner-up sum in girls’s golfing historical past, taking house $1.08 million of the checklist $10 million total prize handbag.
“We are aiming for upper and better every time,” Lee stated. “For the USGA and the USA Open to step up and get started that, it is a large step in the appropriate route.
“It is a great point for the ladies’s sport and the LPGA.”
Whilst Lee admitted she hadn’t been following the tale carefully, she understood the talk the brand new tournament had attracted.
“I do not in reality know an excessive amount of about that, clearly it is been somewhat bit arguable,” Lee stated.
“I assume it is simply viewpoint on the place you might be for your lifestyles at this time,” she added.
Position type
Triumph in Southern Pines marked the second one main of the Australian’s profession, including to her triumph on the Evian Championship ultimate yr, and her 8th win at the LPGA Excursion.
However in spite of the accolades, Lee is concentrated on a legacy past prize cash and trophies — inspiring the following technology of younger golfers.
“Confidently they are able to watch me on TV and I will be able to be a perfect function type for all of the boys and girls all over the international to practice your goals,” Lee stated. “You’ll be able to do it. Anyone can do it.
“So long as you stick with your plan and stick with what you’re keen on then I believe you are all the time going to be doing the appropriate factor.”
Her upward thrust to transform the No. 3 golfer on this planet has been aided via the encouragement of her circle of relatives, none extra so than more youthful brother Min Woo Lee, a golfing professional himself at the PGA Excursion.
“They have been with me each and every step of the way in which and I have most effective all the time were given encouragement from them,” she stated.
“If I sought after to observe, I may pass observe. If I did not then I did not need to. They have simply all the time been a perfect strengthen and nonetheless are and it is simply been a in reality nice adventure up to now.”
