Jeongeun Lee6 wins Women’s U.S Open
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Jeongeun Lee6 claimed her first major title by two shots at the U.S Women’s Open
Jeongeun Lee6 – who has the 6 in her name because she is the sixth player called Lee on Tour – posted a final round 70 to finish at six-under, two shots clear of Angel Yin, Lexi Thompson and So Yeon Ryu.
The 23-year-old began the round two shots behind, but as the overnight leaders struggled Lee set the clubhouse target at six-under, despite making two bogeys over her final three holes.
It was an impressive display from the LPGA Tour rookie, who said she hadn’t expected to win her first major this week, and called herself ‘very lucky’ through a translator after her victory.
“As I’m a rookie player, I thought — I mean, I just wanted — I didn’t even expect to win the tournament this fast,” said Lee6, a six time winner on the Korean LPGA Tour. “I think this is very lucky that I won this Major championship tournament.”
“I was nervous starting 16, 17, and 18, and I knew that, like, if I make all pars on those holes, like I knew that I’m going to win this tournament.
“Besides that, back when I played at MEDIHEAL, when I played the playoff, I know I missed the putts. And imagining that, like, I just wanted to not think about those. I just wanted to win this tournament and try as best as I can.”
She began her round with a dropped shot but quickly recovered at the next to get back to five-under-par, and parred her way in to the turn.
As Lexi Thompson littered her scorecard with a mix of birdies and bogeys, it was Lee who soon pulled ahead by three with back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th holes and a further gain at 15 – though dropped shots at 16 and 18 gave the field a chance.
Celine Boutier looked to be the real challenger to Lee6’s title as she stood just one shot back with a few holes to play, but could only manage a double-bogey at the last to drop back in to solo fifth.
Lee6 came in to the event with an exceptional run of form, and she creditted her move to the LPGA Tour as the reason behind her success – which now includes a major title.
“I told my family that I wanted to play the LPGA for a long time because this is the most I’ve ever enjoyed playing the LPGA tournament so far,” said Lee6.
“So when I was in KLPGA, I actually wanted to stop playing because I wasn’t really enjoying too much about it. But when I came to LPGA tournament, like I started wanting to play more for a long time.
“When I was in KLPGA, a lot of players are very competitive, severely competitive, so I didn’t really enjoy it that much. But when I came to LPGA, a lot of players, they really enjoy playing on the course, and she has a good vibe with a lot of — playing with the LPGA players.”
And as for what Lee6 is going to do with her $1million prize money? Ramen and shoes.
“So my goal was, if I win the tournament, I can eat ramen (laughter). That was my goal. If I finish the top five, I can buy shoes. But I can buy shoes and eat ramen. So it’s a double.”
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