SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — As she descended the hill toward the 18th green amid the lengthening shadows, Minjee Lee knew she could safely five-putt and still win the U.S. Women’s Open. Moments later, as she stood over her third, she suddenly realized she might need them.
“I was nervous all day,” Lee said afterward. “That was the nervous-est I’ve been.”
No matter. Even with that bogey on 18, Lee won in a four-shot romp Sunday, not her first major but her first Women’s Open, and the newest member of an exclusive club that so far includes only legends. Lee, at 26, is at the beginning of her career, unlike Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb and Cristie Kerr when they won at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club. Her runaway this week certainly suggests she can follow in their footsteps.
