On Sunday, Minjee Lee won the Blue Bay LPGA tournament, securing her second victory this year.
The 20-year-old Korean Australian bested the American Jessica Korda by a single stroke at Hainan Island’s Blue Bay golf course, taking a prize a little over $300,000. Her win also places her at No. 15 in the world, which is a two-spot jump.
Thai superstar Ariya Jutanugarn, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, took third place.
The Blue Bay golf course, which boasts 7,555 yards of “tropical style” play, was hit by Typhoon Sarika five days prior, making it more difficult for players to hit their shots, AP reported.
Lee did not make it to Hainan until Wednesday, leaving little time to adjust to the course. ”I really came into this week with no expectations,” Lee told AP. ”Just wanted to have fun.”
And she’s probably having a lot more fun than expected, finishing with a 2-under 70, matching Korda’s birdie on the 18th – giving her the lead, and the win. Korda finished with a 71, after missing an 18-footer for eagle. And Jutanugarn ended with a 70, after sinking her shot into the water on 18.
Lee’s last win was the Lotte Championship at Hawaii’s Ko Olina golf course in April, where she also triumphed by a single stroke. This is her third LGPA career win.
