By Andrew Both
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (Reuters) – Australian Minjee Lee secured the biggest prize in women’s golf with an emphatic four-stroke victory at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles on Sunday.
The 26-year-old from Perth made a hot start to the final round with birdies at the first two holes and was never headed en route to an even-par 71 in demanding conditions that made it tough for her pursuers to make a charge.
Lee finished at 13-under-par 271, collecting $1.8 million from a record total purse of $10 million, while American Mina Harigae (72) claimed second place on nine-under.
Lee, who won her first major title at last year’s Evian Championship, joins Karrie Webb (2000 and 2001) and Jan Stephenson (1983) as Australians to win the U.S. Women’s Open.
(Reporting by Andrew Both)
