Hainan island: For the first time in nearly nine years, South Korean LPGA veteran Lee Mi-hyang found herself in the winner's circle Sunday, something that she said gave her an immense sense of pride. Lee survived a nearly disastrous final round to win the Blue Bay LPGA at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course in Hainan Island, China, by one stroke over Zhang Weiwei of China at 11-under 277.
According to Yonhap News Agency, it was Lee's third career victory and her first since July 2017 in Scotland. Lee also pulled off the rare act of winning a tournament despite making two double bogeys in the final round. She ended up carding a one-over 73 on Sunday, with those two double bogeys, two bogeys, and five birdies.
"A lot of ups and downs inside me, but I still just kept fighting on the back nine," Lee said. "No bogey and three birdies (on the last nine holes), so I'm really proud of myself."
Lee, 32, made her LPGA debut in 2012. She had been a steady presence on the tour for nearly a decade but ranked outside the top 100 on the money list in 2021 and 2022. Last season, Lee recorded three top-10 finishes and ended at No. 50 on the money list, showing signs of a mid-career turnaround.
However, Lee suffered a right shoulder injury last fall, which continued to affect her in the early days of this season. She played through pains in China, too. "I think this is too much for my shoulder," Lee said. "I just started playing in February. I didn't practice at all last winter. That's why I cannot believe I won this trophy."
"I just struggled a lot the last few years," she added. "Really want to say thanks to my dad and caddie and coach and my friends and family. All my friends on the tour, they just kept saying positive things to me."
Lee said her relentless spirit helped her down the stretch, after she had briefly lost her lead over the early holes. She also tried to stick to fundamentals once she realized she was trying to do too much on the front nine. "I fought and just didn't give up," she said. "I had to make a lot of birdies. This feels amazing."
Although she had to play from behind on later holes, Lee said, in a way, it lifted pressure off her shoulders. "I played four-over on the front nine, so maybe no pressure," said Lee, who admitted to watching the scoreboard throughout the round. "On the back nine, I just focused on (making) birdies."
Source: Yonhap News Agency