25 July 2021: In a sensational come from behind victory, Minjee Lee worked her way from seven strokes back to tie Jeongeun Lee6 at 18-under par. The Aussie then clinched victory on the first playoff hole with a birdie on the 18th secure the upset win. The Korean struggled her way through an even 71 in the final round after three stupendous days at the Evian Resort Golf Club.
The Korean covered the course in 32 strokes on either side for a solid run up the leaderboard to put herself in position for a maiden major title. Lee6 suffered heavy damage on the front nine where she conceded five bogeys in seven holes for a 39, going out. She deserves credit though for fighting back with a birdie on the 12th hole and three straight to complete her round of 71. That left the two women tied for the lead.
A perfect approach, already considered one of the best in a major playoff, helped Lee gain a shot at an eagle even as Lee6 tired of her own remarkable back nine renaissance. It is a pity for the Korean, who started her day, five shots ahead of the field and seven in front of Lee. But the Aussie played some flawless golf through a riveting day before carrying the momentum into the playoff to secure a memorable win.
“I had 173 metres into the pin. I said 5-iron but had some adrenaline and my caddy said 6-iron, so thanks to Gilly. It was really close and I’m really happy. I never thought about winning while playing, I just tried to make as many birdies as I could. I saw the leaderboard maybe once or twice. I just tried to play to the best of my ability and it’s really great to win a major,” said Minjee Lee. “I know they (family back home) will be really happy and I am too!”
Only two other women have achieved a major victory from seven strokes back. Patty Sheehan did it first at the LPGA in 1983. Karrie Webb emulated her at the 2006 Kraft Nabisco (now ANA Inspiration).
Yealimi Noh finished in third with a final round 67. Ayaka Furue matched that score to finish two strokes back from Noh at 15-under. Atthaya Thitikul shot six birdies and an eagle in a final round 65 that helped her into fifth place, as she continues her impressive early career run.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire emulated Lee6 who shot a 61 on Friday, the low major round for men and women. South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim did it at Evian in 2014.
-18: Lee, Lee6 (Lee won at first play-off hole)
-17: Noh
-15: Furue
-14: Thitikul
-13: Maguire, Hall, Chun, Ko
-11: Anannarukarn, Yang
-10: Park, Stephenson, Lang
