World's No. 1 Amateur Sets Course Record with 66 at North Oaks Golf Club, Earns Trip to Pinehurst

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By Nick Hunter
nhunter@mngolf.org


NORTH OAKS, Minn. – Just a week shy of her 18th birthday, and in her first attempt to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, Australian Minjee Lee carded a final round 5-under par 66 Tuesday at North Oaks Golf Club to earn a ticket to Pinehurst next month.

The qualifier was held to determine the field at the U.S. Women’s Open June 19-22 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C.

A field of 28 began the two-round qualifier Monday, but play was suspended due to inclement weather and play resumed Tuesday.

Mexico’s Maria Fassi led the field after 18 holes Tuesday by shooting a 1-over par 72, but struggled in the afternoon and would shoot a 6-over par 77 to finish tied for second at 149.

Lee, the world’s No. 1 ranked amateur, finished the opening 18 holes Tuesday at 3-over par 74 after a double-bogey on the final hole, but really heated up during the final round. On the front nine of the second round, Lee recorded four birdies and would make the turn at 4-under par 32.

She added another birdie at the par-4 12th and would finish her round at 5-under par 66 to set a new course record at North Oaks Golf Club.

Despite her round being interrupted after just eight holes Monday, Lee said it wasn’t difficult to get back into the round Tuesday Morning.

“I think it was much better—it turned out better for me,” she said Tuesday. “I was hitting the ball good yesterday but I misjudged my lengths a little bit. Today the wind was down so it was much easier to judge and I was able to hit it close.”

With a double-bogey on the final hole of the first round, Lee said she was able to use the miscue as motivation for the final 18 holes.

“I was confident with my game but I was disappointed with the double on the 18th hole. I knew I had to step it up and play better in the afternoon. I made some really good putts on the first nine holes during the second round. On the back nine I was really steady and was able to make pars,” she said.

Lee, Perth, Australia, earned the top spot in the world rankings in February after she won the ALPG’s 2014 Oates Victorian Open as an Amateur. She is the two-time defending champion of the Australian Women’s Amateur and won the 2012 U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship.

Lee made the trip to the U.S. Women’s Open last year at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. The only difference this year is that she’ll be inside the ropes.

“I went to the tournament last year through the Karrie Webb Scholarship and it was so cool to be there and it made me want to play there even more. It means the world to me that get to play in the U.S. Open,” Lee said.

Amy Anderson, Oxbow, N.D., carded a 3-over par 74 Tuesday after shooting a 4-over par 75 earlier in the day to finish tied with Fassi at 149. After a playoff at the conclusion of regulation, Anderson birdied the first hole to finish as first alternate, while Fassi finished as second alternate.

Minnesota Gopher Anna Laorr finished seventh Tuesday after shooting a 6-over par 77 in the morning and followed it with a 5-over par 78 Tuesday afternoon to finish at 155.

Brenna Lervick, Chanhassen, Minn., finished tied for eighth at 156 after shooting a 75 during the opening round, and finished with a 10-over par 71 in the afternoon session.


For complete tournament results go to: http://www.mngolf.org/Tournaments/US_Womens_Open_Sectional_Qualifying_3