Minjee Lee: Player Profile

Who is Minjee Lee?

Minjee Lee is one of Australia’s leading female players, and a two-time major champion.

Lee was born in Perth, Western Australia, in May 1996. She only took up the sport at the age of 10, thanks to her mum being a teacher at the local driving range. She would go on to become the number one ranked female amateur golfer in the world, though, spending 28 weeks at the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings prior to turning professional.

It did not take her long to win on the LPGA Tour, with her maiden win coming just eight months after she turned professional. That is one of 13 professional victories that Lee has in her career, with two of those coming on the biggest stage of them all. She won the Amundi Evian Championship in 2021, before then doubling up on the major stage with a victory at the US Women’s Open a year later. The Australian also has top three finishes in each of the other three major championships.

Lee has represented Australia on the biggest stages as well, playing in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. Her best finish came in Rio de Janeiro in the first of those, with a 7th place finish. She has also played for her country in the International Crown on four occasions, most recently in 2023. 

Minjee Lee | An Overview

Personal Information

Name: Minjee Lee
Born: May 27, 1996
Nationality: Australia
Residence: Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Career

Turned Pro: 2014
Professional Wins: 13
Highest World Ranking: 2 – April 22, 2019

Best Results In Majors

Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T3 (2017)
– Women’s PGA Championship – T2 (2022)
– US Women’s Open – WON (2022)
– Amundi Evian Championship – WON (2021)
– AIG Women’s Open – 3rd (2020)

Professional Wins – 13

2014 (1) – Oates Vic Open
2015 (1) – Kingsmill Championship
2016 (2) – Lotte Championship, Blue Bay LPGA
2018 (2) – LPGA Volvik Championship, Oates Vic Open
2019 (1) – Hugel-Air Premia LA Open
2020 (1) – Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic
2021 (1) – Amundi Evian Championship
2022 (2) – Cognizant Founder’s Cup, US Women’s Open
2023 (2) – Kroger Queen City Championship, BMW Ladies Championship

Achievements and Awards

Greg Norman Medal – 2018, 2021
Rolex Annika Major Award – 2022

Minjee Lee | What’s In Her Bag?

The Australian joined Callaway in 2024, and her entire bag is filled with clubs from the brand. She plays the Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond driver and fairway woods, along with Apex CB irons and Jaws Raw wedges. An Odyssey Ai-One Milled Two T putter is joined by the Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball. 

You can take a proper look at what Minjee Lee uses out on the course here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Minjee Lee

When and where was Minjee Lee born?

Minjee Lee was born in Perth, Western Australia in May 1996. She was a late starter when it comes to golf, only taking up the sport at the age of 10 thanks to her mum being a teacher at the local driving range. 

When did Minjee Lee turn professional?

Minjee Lee turned professional in 2014 and was a member of the LPGA Tour within a year, going on to win her first LPGA title just eight months after turning pro.

How many major championships has Minjee Lee won?

As of March 2024, Minjee Lee is a two-time major champion. Her first major success came at the Amundi Evian Championship in 2021, with the Aussie then going on to win the US Women’s Open a year later. 

Who is Minjee Lee’s brother?

Minjee Lee is the older brother of Australian golfer Min Woo Lee. Min Woo is a successful golfer in his own right, as a three-time winner on the DP World Tour including a Rolex Series title. 

Did you Know?

First Female Greg Norman Medal Winner

Thanks to her performances over the 2018 season, Lee was awarded the Greg Norman Medal – for the best Australian golfer. She became the first female player to win the award, and went on to win it again in 2021. Major champions Jason Day, Hannah Green and Cameron Smith are also among the recipients of the Greg Norman Medal. 

Former Amateur World No 1

After securing her first professional title (while still playing as an amateur) Lee moved to the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She held the spot for seven months, until she turned professional later in 2014. 

Top Three In All Majors

Minjee Lee is part of a very elite club, as one of very few golfers to have finished in the top three in all five of the women’s majors. Along with her wins at the US Women’s Open and Amundi Evian Championship, the Australian has finished runner-up at the Women’s PGA Championship, and also has 3rd place finishes at the Chevron Championship and the AIG Women’s Open. 

Australian Olympian

Lee is a two-time Olympian, representing her home nation of Australia, having played in both RIo de Janeiro and Tokyo. Her best result came in 2016 in Rio, where she finished 7th.

Family History

Min Woo Lee’s victory at the US Junior Amateur, four years after Minjee’s win in the US Girls Junior Amateur, saw them become the first brother/sister pairing to win USGA junior championships. 

Other Minjee Lee Articles

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