Minjee Lee moves four clear at KPMG Women’s PGA
Minjee Lee hits her tee shot at the opening hole today – image courtesy of PGA of America
Minjee Lee has put together an outstanding performance on day three of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Frisco in Texas, and in the process has opened up a four-shot lead over the woman she trailed by one through 36 holes, Jeeno Thitikul.
As strong winds buffeted the Fields Ranch East layout, Lee recorded three birdies and no bogeys in her round of 69 to take a four shot lead over Thailand’s Thitikul, that pair the only two players under par for 54 holes to date, the third placed golfers, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, Korean Hye-Jin Choi and Lexi Thompson now seven shots behind Lee and three behind Thitikul.
Lee, therefore, has an outstanding opportunity to claim a third major championship title to add to her 2021 Evian Masters and 2022 US Women’s Open victories.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Lee. “I think I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position.”
I mean, it feels really big,” added Lee referring to her current lead. “I think obviously major Sunday is a different story. This is round three, so I think, you know, I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead.
“So I’m just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability, that’s what I’m going to focus on.”
“I mean, major Sunday is like no other, so regardless of where you are I don’t think you’re really ever in a comfortable position until you’re holding that trophy.
“I’ve had both experiences of leading and coming from behind and I’m sure both of them will help me tomorrow. Yeah, just going to do my very best.”
As Lee was putting together her impressive round in the most difficult conditions on an already demanding Gil Hanse designed layout, the overnight leader Thitikul struggled with six bogeys and just two birdies in a round of 76 for a seven shot swing in Lee’s favour. Although Thitikul has five LPGA Tour wins to her name, she has yet to win a major and so Lee has the advantage of wins at this level on two occasions and therefore an added edge heading into tomorrow.
Sydney’s Grace Kim produced the best round of the day and one of only two in the 60’s when her 4 under par 68 which moved her a massive 58 places from the cutline to a share of 10th.
