Lee storms to Lotte victory
Minjee Lee fired an 8-under-par 64 and erased a five-stroke deficit to win the Lotte Championship today at Ko Olina Golf Club.
Lee, 19, played Ko Olina’s back nine at 6 under to edge Katie Burnett and In Gee Chun by one stroke at 16-under 272.
Lee began the day five shots behind Burnett at 8 under after shooting a 74 on Friday and made a 10-shot improvement to earn her second win on the LPGA Tour.
“Yesterday I spoke to my coach and he was like, ‘You’re only five back. Just shoot 8 under and you’ll be fine,’” Lee said. “And I shot 8 under, so that was good.”
Burnett entered the final round with a one-shot lead and held on late into the round before Lee tied her at 16 under with a birdie putt on No. 17. Burnett bogeyed No. 16 to drop a shot behind Lee and her birdie putt on 17 lipped out.
Lee parred No. 18 to cap her bogey-free round two groups ahead of Burnett and Chun, who went into No. 18 needing birdies to tie. Both came up short.
Punahou graduate Stephanie Kono finished her week with a 7-under 65 to finish at 4 under for the tournament and tied for 33rd.