Minjee Lee on the verge of another major triumph

Australia’s Minjee Lee will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the 2022 US Women’s Open.

Media release via Australian Golf Media

Minjee Lee may be a day away from her greatest triumph.

The Australian continued her stellar golf on the third day of the US Women’s Open, shooting 67 to take a three-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round.

Although the 26-year-old from Perth is already a major winner and ranked fourth in the world, this would be another level.

The US Women’s Open is the biggest tournament in women’s golf and this year is worth a record $US 10 million. First prize is $US1.8 million.

Lee made five birdies today including four in a row from the ninth to the 12th, with her iron play showing up as remarkable and her putting on song.

A nice chip at the par-4 18th hole gave her a solid par for a 67 to go with earlier rounds of 67-66 and at 13 under par, she leads American Mina Harigae by three shots with a further three shots to the next contender, England’s Bronte Law.

Realistically, it is hers to win or lose now at Pine Needles in North Carolina.

Lee won her first major, the Evian Championship, last year in France, but she has stated that she wants to be the world No. 1 and she will be within sight of that mantle if she can win tomorrow.

“It’s the US Open,” she said when she was asked afterward if she had any familiarity with this position. “No, but I’m just going to stick to what I know. I’ve been to plenty of US Opens and been in pressure situations like this before, so just take away my experience from the other events and the other Opens and try and get it done tomorrow.”

Lee, a former holder of the Karrie Webb scholarship, is seeking to emulate her mentor this week.

Webb won the 2001 US Women’s Open at Pine Needles by a remarkable eight shots, and texted Lee this week wishing her well.

“My approach is going to be the same as the last three days, I’m just going to try and make as many birdies as I can,” she said. “Give myself as many opportunities as I can on the greens, play safe when I need to and play safe when I need to.”

The US Women’s Open record of 16 under par is in her sights. “If I play good, it’s going to come with it, right? So hopefully I play well.”

It shapes as a remarkable weekend for Australians around the world, with Cameron Smith still in contention in the Memorial Tournament in Ohio and New South Welshman Travis Smyth leading on the Asian Tour.

Smyth is a shot ahead in the International Series in the United Kingdom as he seeks his breakthrough Asian Tour win.

Queenslander Smith sits tied-second at the Memorial, but he is five shots behind runaway leader Billy Horschel.