Minjee Lee Triumphs at KPMG Women's PGA Championship
Minjee Lee maintained her composure throughout the final round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, finishing with a 2-over 74 yet securing her third major title. Despite facing challenges, including three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, Lee's early four-stroke lead proved crucial.
Jeeno Thitikul, ranked second in the world, struggled alongside Lee, bogeying both par 5s in the opening holes of Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. Lee, ranked 24th, concluded the tournament at 4-under 284, three strokes ahead of Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen, the only other competitors to finish under par.
"A lot of patience out there today," Lee reflected. "It's a battle against myself pretty much, especially with how tough the conditions were this whole week." The pressure of major Sunday amplified the challenge, but Lee's experience shone through.
Kim and Wannasaen both delivered impressive rounds of 68, marking the best scores of the day. Kim's performance was particularly notable as she played bogey-free, although she settled for pars after a strong start with three consecutive birdies.
The tournament featured a record $12 million purse, an increase from last year's $10.4 million, matching the U.S. Women's Open for the highest prize money. Lee's victory netted her $1.8 million, mirroring her earnings from her 2022 U.S. Women's Open win.
At 29 years old and residing in nearby Irving, Texas, Lee celebrated her 11th career victory and her first of the season, contributing to a remarkable trend where 16 different players have claimed LPGA tournament titles this year.
Windy conditions persisted with gusts reaching 15-20 mph, though they were less severe than the previous day's challenges. Thitikul had initially led after the first two rounds but faltered with a 76 on Saturday, while Lee recorded the only bogey-free round until then.
On Sunday, Thitikul's struggles continued as she opened with a shot into the right rough, finishing with a 75 and ending at 1 over 289, tied for fourth with Chisato Iwai.
Lee's lead never dipped below two strokes during the final round. A pivotal moment came when she sank an 8-foot par putt at the 13th hole to maintain her advantage. Meanwhile, Wannasaen made a notable eagle putt at the par-4 15th but stumbled with a bogey on the following hole.
"I saw every single leaderboard and knew exactly where I was pretty much all of today," Lee stated. "Just really played within myself today." A subtle fist pump followed her successful 9-foot birdie at No. 14, further solidifying her position.
Lee's first bogey occurred at the par-5 third hole after her third shot landed in a deep bunker. She faced back-to-back bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes but rebounded with a birdie on the ninth to turn at 4 under, maintaining a three-stroke lead over Thitikul and Kim.
Kim began her final round nine strokes behind Lee, two shy of the record comeback in women's majors. She opened with a birdie on the par-5 first hole and closed in on Lee after three birdies on her front nine.
Nelly Korda, currently ranked first in the world, and Lexi Thompson both finished with scores of 76. Thompson ended tied for 12th at 293, while Korda placed tied for 19th at 6-over 294, still seeking her first win of the year after an impressive seven victories last season.
