It’s been my dream to win this, says Lee
MINJEE Lee won her second major with victory at the US Women’s Open at Pine Needles that saw her collect the largest pay-out in women’s golf.
The Australian took home $1.8 million (£1.4m) after mixing four birdies with the same number of bogeys to card an even-par 71 and finish at 13 under – four strokes ahead of Mina Harigae of the US.
“I’m speechless. I can’t believe it right now,” the world number four said after taking another major to go with last year’s Evian Championship.
“It’s just super, super special and a great honour. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl. It’s the one that I always wanted to win – now I’ve done it, and just feels amazing.”
The victory ensured Lee was the sixth straight non-US player to win the tournament and the first Aussie since mentor Karrie Webb in 2001.
Harigae, who shot a course-record 64 in the opening round before sharing the lead with Lee after the second day, finished with a 72 on Sunday in North Carolina.
“I’m not going to lie, my stomach hurt the last couple holes coming down the stretch,” the American said. “I was really stressed out, but I was really just focusing on one shot at a time, making solid contact, and just hitting good putts.”
The day’s best round of 70 was recorded by South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi, who finished third on seven under, while her compatriot world number one Jin Young Ko shot 71 to collect fourth at six under.
Bronte Law of England carded a 74 to finish at four under and Irishwoman Leona Maguire shot the same score on Sunday to finish another two strokes back.
Charley Hull also had a 74 to be at three-over overall, while fellow English player Georgia Hall ended up at six over.
Brighton – (five-year record) Top Trainers (with runners): A Carroll 43-296 (14.5%), R Hannon 24-102 (23.5%), G L Moore 17-132 (12.9%), E J-Houghton 16-88 (18.2%), R Hughes 12-42 (28.6%), A Watson 12-51 (23.5%), G Baker 11-73 (15.1%), M Attwater 8-84 (9.5%), W G M Turner 7-39 (17.9%), Miss A Murphy 6-40 (15%), M Channon 6-82 (7.3%),
D & C Kubler 5-10 (50%).
■ Billy Horschel claimed a seventh PGA Tour title with a timely eagle in the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
Horschel took a five-shot lead into the final round, but saw it reduced to two for the second time when his playing partner Aaron Wise twoputted the par-five 15th for his fourth birdie of the day.
However, Horschel then holed from 53 feet for an eagle – his first in 573 holes in the event – to effectively seal victory before dropping just his fourth shot of the entire week on the 17th.
A closing 72 gave Horschel a fourshot winning margin over Wise, with defending champion Patrick Cantlay and Joaquin Niemann two shots further back.
“It feels pretty good,” Horschel said afterwards. “I felt comfortable all day, never felt like my heart was beating too fast, never was worried about anything and just trying to play within myself, play my own game.
“I felt like that was all I needed to do, knowing the conditions were tough and if someone went out and played a really special round of golf and nicked me, then hats off.
“But I played really solid today and really happy with it. I’ve never won a tournament with my wife and kids at it and for them to finally be here at a tournament I’ve won is so special.”
World number two Jon Rahm, who had a six-shot lead after 54 holes last year before being informed he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had to withdraw, carded a closing 69 to finish in a tie for tenth.
Rory McIlroy shot rounds of 73 and 74 over the weekend to slip into a tie for 18th position.
Top Jockeys (with mounts): Pat Cosgrave 16-86 (18.6%), Darragh Keenan 15-93 (16.1%), Marco Ghiani 11-63 (17.5%), William Carson 7-70 (10%), Grace McEntee 6-45 (13.3%), Kieran O’Neill 6-68 (8.8%), Saffie Osborne 5-21 (23.8%), Adam J McNamara 4-14 (28.6%), Mollie
Phillips 4-35 (11.4%), Georgia Dobie 4-38 (10.5%), George Bass 2-13 (15.4%). Favourites: 170-531 (32.0%).
Chelmsford City – (five-year record) Top Trainers (with runners): 20-126 (15.9%), A Balding 19-150 (12.7%), C Cox 17-98 (17.4%), B Millman 13-124 (10.5%), W Haggas 12-35 (34.3%), J & T Gosden 12-51 (23.5%), E J-Houghton 9-78 (11.5%), H & R Charlton 7-51 (13.7%), Sir M Prescott 6-17 (35.3%), H Morrison 6-33 (18.2%).
Top Jockeys (with mounts): Jim Crowley 15-103 (14.6%), Charles