A stunning closing eagle has given Minjee Lee a share of the lead at the LPGA Tour event in Thailand.
Lee, coming off a strong T5 finish at last week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in Adelaide, will start round two tomorrow tied with American Lexi Thompson and hometown hero Moriya Jutanugarn after the pair fired opening six-under-par 66s in Chonburi.
On a star-studded leaderboard, Aussie Sarah-Jane Smith (71) is also handy, while countrywomen Katherine Kirk and Su Oh have work ahead to work back into the tournament after respective 73s.
There was no real sign of what lay ahead for Lee when she turned at one under after a bogey on the ninth.
But the 21-year-old West Australian, already a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour in her short pro career, then showed why she’s considered among the game’s most dynamic shot-makers.
A birdie on the long 10th sparked a furious charge with more shots gained on the 11th, 13th and 15th holes before a bogey seemingly slowed her progress on the 17th.
But an absolute bomb of a putt from the lower deck of the final green curled in for eagle on the 18th to cap her rally.
Hannah Green has also continued her stellar start to life as a Professional golfer, sitting in a tie for fourth at the Ladies Classic Bonville.
Englishwoman Holly Clyborn has a two-shot lead after the opening round.
