Lee falters at death

A SHORT approach to the final hole cost Australian Minjee Lee her chance at a second victory for 2021 after finishing one shot behind winner Nasa Hataoka at the LPGA event in Arkansas.

Playing ahead of Lee, Hataoka nervously three putted the par-5 18th hole.

It left Lee, who started the day tied for the lead, one shot back in the group behind Hataoka. The Australian, the No.9 ranked player in the world, ripped a long drive down the centre. But trying to make the green in two, Lee’s second shot fell well short. She didn’t get her pitch close enough and had to settle for a closing par, to finish in a tie for second.