Lee does hard yards
THE harder it is, the more there is at stake, the better Minjee Lee plays.
That’s why she’s a two-time major champion going for number three in France this week, hot on the heels of Cameron Smith’s breakthrough at the British Open.
It’s 12 months since the world No.2 collected her maiden major trophy at the Evian Championship, having won five times on the LPGA tour without showing her best when it mattered.
But like Smith’s almost unreal back nine at St Andrews in the final round, Lee produced a closing 22 holes that had to be seen to be believed at the Evian Resort Golf Club on the shores of Lake Geneva.
The Australian came from 10 shots behind in the latter stages of her third round, reeling off four straight birdies to finish her Saturday before closing with a seven-underpar 64 in the final round.
Lee had started her Sunday seven shots off the lead but forced a playoff that she won on the first hole.
Like Smith, Lee is forever understated about her phenomenal capacity to thrive in the biggest moments.
She did it again last month when the 26-year-old from Perth won the richest ever US Open purse by a lazy four shots, a margin reduced only by a “nervous” missed par putt on the 18th hole.
To solidify her standing among the world’s elite, Lee backed up three weeks later to finish runner-up at the PGA Championship.
She finished just one shot back after firing the secondbest finishing round in another example of her capacity to thrive under pressure.
“I like it when it’s hard,” Lee said. “I think I focus a little bit more and a little bit better when it is tougher, and I like the pressure as well.
“To perform under pressure, I think that’s sort of where I do my best. I think that’s why.
“You do have to focus a little bit more on smaller details, so I think that’s where I kind of excel. When I play under pressure, that is where I excel as well.”
After what has been a banner week for Australians on the international stage, everything suggests Lee is right in the frame to make it another big Sunday in golf.