Minjee Lee walked into the interview area beaming after an impressive third round at the U.S. Women’s Open. While many competitors looked exhausted by the challenging course at Lancaster Country Club, Lee managed to hold her own, delivering a stunning performance.
She shot a four-under 66, earning her a spot in the final pairing on Sunday. Lee stated, ‘It didn’t feel super simple, but I just tried to stick to my game plan, tried to make birdies. Obviously I wanted to have a good score on round 3, Moving Day. I knew there was going to be some opportunities with some of the tees up for birdies, so yeah, pretty much I just tried to take it step by step as you do as a U.S. Open and just stayed in the moment.’
Executing her strategy flawlessly, Lee made three birdies and an eagle, only stumbling with a bogey on the 14th hole. Her Saturday performance, where the average score hovered around two over par, clearly won the affection of the eastern Pennsylvania fans, who cheered her on with ‘Let her cook!’ – a nod to her brother, PGA Tour player Min Woo.
Sunday’s final round won’t be an easy ride. Lee is tied for the lead with Wichanee Meechai and Andrea Lee, both sitting at five under par. The Lancaster course has proven to be a formidable adversary, with a scoring average of 74.3 over three rounds, and only five players breaking par.
Andrea Lee sees Sunday as a shot at redemption. Despite a stellar amateur career that saw her reach the top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, her professional journey has been less smooth, boasting just one LPGA Tour win and two top 10 finishes in 16 major starts. After a solid round of 67, she shared, ‘I’m just steadily getting a little bit better every year and just finding my rhythm out here on Tour. I feel really comfortable, especially this season. I feel like this is the most comfortable I’ve felt out here and the most fun that I’ve had since turning professional.’
Wichanee Meechai, ranked 158 in the Rolex Ranking, is the surprise contender. Looking to become the first qualifier to win the U.S. Women’s Open since 2005, she said, ‘I hit a lot of bad shots, but, you know, like I don’t have any bad thoughts about my swing or about the result at all. I’m just staying in my zone and trying to keep going and then be patient.’
As the final round at Lancaster Country Club approaches, spectators are braced for a thrilling conclusion. With the challenging course and fierce competition, the stage is set for an unforgettable finish.
Patience and precision will be critical in the final round. All eyes will be on Minjee Lee, Andrea Lee, and Wichanee Meechai as they vie for the top spot in what promises to be an exhilarating end to the U.S. Women’s Open.
Source: Golf
