(Reuters) – Australian Minjee Lee claimed her first victory of the season at the LPGA’s LA Open in California on Sunday, finishing four strokes ahead of South Korean Kim Sei-young at Wilshire Country Club.
Lee, who has two runner-up finishes this season and could rise to number two in the world from her current fourth spot, carded a closing 68, punctuating her performance by ramming home a 12-foot birdie putt at the last to finish at 14-under-par 270.
The 22-year-old earned $225,000 for her fifth career LPGA victory, taking her to second on this year’s money list and the Tour’s season-long points Race to the CME Globe.
Only three Australians have more career wins — Karrie Webb (41), Jan Stephenson (16) and Rachel Hetherington (eight).
“The first half of the year I’ve been playing pretty solid. I felt it was close so I feel pretty good with this one,” said Lee.
World number one Ko Jin-young (69), who also leads the money and points standings, finished tied for fifth on eight-under 276.
Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Peter Rutherford
