Australia: Superstar Minjee Lee has put on a masterclass against two of the brightest rising talents in Australian golf to claim a second Vic Open title.
The world No.20 started Sunday’s final round at 13th Beach with a one-shot lead over Karis Davidson, with another two strokes to Hannah Green.
That advantage had blown out to four shots by the fifth hole courtesy of a spectacular eagle-three by Lee, with the tournament effectively in her keeping.
Playing near flawless golf, Lee eventually signed for a six-under 67 and a four-round tally of 13-under 279. In her first four-round event as a pro, Davidson, 19, hung tough for a 71 to finish five shots adrift in second spot. The 21-year-old Green – who will tee it up alongside Lee on the US LPGA tour this year – was tied for third on 285 with 2016 Vic Open champ Georgia Hall from England.
“I was a little bit nervous out there coming down the stretch,” said Lee, who won her first Vic Open title as a 17-year-old amateur back in 2014 and has since gone on to salute three times on the LPGA Tour.”But I knew I had somewhat of a lead so I could just play.
“Most of the pressure I put on myself so it’s nice to come out with the win. “Overall it’s pretty tough to win anywhere, but to win at home is a little bit more added pressure.” Lee will finalise her preparations for the upcoming Australian Open in Adelaide by playing in the Canberra Classic beginning on Friday. “It’s a great confidence booster to have a win here and hopefully I can carry it on to the next two weeks,” she said.
Davidson – who lost the 2014 Australian Amateur final to Lee as a 15-year-old – has made a flying start to her pro career, earning full rights on the tough Japan tour for 2018 and now finishing outright second at 13th Beach.
“This is where I want to be,” she said. “I did quite well in a couple of amateur competitions so I guess that helped me keep calm today”, she said, adding, “It’s a great start but I’ve just got to keep my feet on the ground. “I’ve got a big year up ahead and hopefully a long career in golf.”
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