“Good things come to those who wait.”
This timeless phrase can often apply to sporting stars and their quest for success. Take Justin Rose for example, the Englishman and new male world number one golfer.
In his first 21 professional tournaments he missed every cut, it took 12 years for his first victory in America and 15 years for his first major win. As of last Monday, 20 years after turning professional, Rose is currently the best golfer on the planet.
He certainly had to wait.
People are, at times, growing impatient with Minjee Lee’s lack of accomplishment at women’s major level and, to be honest, I am not sure why.
The 22-year-old has played on the LPGA Tour since 2015, and in that time has lifted four trophies, earned more than US $4 million and currently sits sixth in the world rankings.
Furthermore, the West Aussie has posted 36 top-10 finishes in that time – consistency personified. Eleven of those finishes have come in 2018, clearly her best year to date on tour.
While she may have failed to fire thus far in major, it’s simply a matter of time before Lee captures an elusive title. Could the Evian Championship be her week to shine? The distinct possibility would break the record books once again, given no Australian female has clinched the title in its five year existence as a major.
Another important admission to remember is that our greatest female player of the modern era, Karrie Webb, didn’t claim her first major victory until 24 years of age. She now has seven major titles.
For 54 holes of the Women’s British Open Lee looked every bit a major champion, and while her last round cost her victory, it was clear she was ready for the moment.
Barring the Inditech Championship, the Australian’s past four tournament results read as follows: 4th, 4th, 9th and 2nd. Those stats are simply unmatched in the current women’s game.
Minjee Lee is in the form of her life.
Clearly there is pressure on Lee, after all people just want her to succeed. When the time is right, though, she will thrive in the moment and Evian-les-Bains could be the perfect place to do just that.
It’s been a career that has only spanned four years, and the 22-year-old is certainly up for the challenge.
Good things come to those that wait; Minjee Lee must remember that now more than ever.
