Western Australia’s 17 year old amateur golfer Minjee Lee has her best chance yet of a breakthrough win on the professional golf circuit when she takes a three stroke lead into tomorrow’s final round of the Victorian Open at the Beach Golf Links in Geelong.
Lee started the day three back of overnight leader Sarah Jane Smith, however a 6-under-par round of 68 catapulted her into the lead, holding a three stroke lead over Smith, while fellow amateur Su-Hyun Of of Victoria is five back of Lee in third at 5-under-par.
This is the third straight professional event that Lee will start in the final group, after finishing as a runner up at the RACV Volvik Australian Ladies Masters faltering late at the ISPS Handa Australian Open to finish in a tie for 11th after holding the joint lead with eventual champion Karrie Webb with nine holes to play.
Lee had a blistering front nine, with birdies on the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th and an eagle to finish on the ninth where she hit a monther drive to 110m from the green and sunk the 12 foot eagle putt.
Lee was calm after her third round and was looking to draw on the experience of the past two near misses to help her break through for a win tomorrow.
“Im feeling good, I’m confident in myself and in my game. I think I’m getting used get used to it and the more you do it the better you get.
“Tomorrow I’ll just play as I’ve played the course the whole week and stick with my game plan.”
WA is well represented in the women’s event, with Amateur’s Hayley Bettencourt (26th) and Hannah Green (T27) with some great performances. Green made the cut on the number, but a four under round on Saturday has sent her well up the leaderboard and within striking distance of a top 20 finish.
WA’s Professionals are also well placed with Jessica Speechley (T13) and Whitney Hillier (T17) in the top 20.
