Minjee Lee is closing in on Australian golf history after producing the round of the week to surge into a share of the third-round lead at the mega-money Women’s US Open in Pennsylvania.
Lee carded a masterful four-under-par 66 at Lancaster Country Club to reel in halfway leader Wichanee Meechai (67) and march ominously towards a second US Open title in three years.
The 2022 champion can join the legendary Karrie Webb with two US Open crowns if she goes on to win a third career major championship outside of Philadelphia.
The world No.9 will enter the final round in a three-way tie for top spot at five under with Meechai and American Andrea Lee, who posted a 69 to remain in the hunt to parlay her immense potential into a maiden major on Sunday.
On pedigree, though, Australia’s Lee will be the favourite to kick on after producing a dazzling stretch on one of golf’s most challenging layouts to card her equal-lowest round at a US Open.
After six straight pars, Lee was four shots behind Meechai before igniting her round with a spectacular eagle three at the seventh.
Tied for the lead: Minjee Lee.Credit: AP
An hour later, she only trailed by one after stamping a pinpoint nine iron to three feet on the 11th for birdie and following up with another laser-like approach on the treacherous par-three 12th.
With Meechai dropping her first shot in 15 holes after missing the 10th green, Lee suddenly grabbed a share of the lead after collecting another tap-in birdie.