Australia’s Minjee Lee, who used a victory in last year’s Founders Cup to spark a Major triumph, hopes to repeat that success when this year’s event tees off on Thursday.
The 26-year-old chases her ninth career LPGA Tour title this week at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey.
Lee said meeting the challenges of the course last year made her lift her level, which contributed to her winning a second Major title just three weeks later at the US Women’s Open.
“Because the golf course is quite demanding, I feel like all parts of my game came together for that win,” the world No 6 said. “It gave me a lot of confidence for the next couple weeks and obviously the US Open.
“I really have great memories here and am hoping to do the same this week.”
Lee hasn’t cracked the top 30 in any event since her US Women’s Open crown, but she helped Australia reach the championship match of last week’s International Crown team event, losing the title to Thailand.
“I was striking it really well last week,” Lee said. “Hopefully I can bring it on this week.”
Lee, who will defend her US Women’s Open title next month at Pebble Beach, appreciates the event paying tribute to pioneers of women’s golf.
“It’s going to be a special week,” Lee said. “We’re really grateful for what they did for us. Hopefully we can live up to their standards and leave the LPGA and women’s golf in a better place than we found it.”
Hannah Green, one of Lee’s teammates at the International Crown, is coming off a victory in Los Angeles two weeks ago.
“I must admit I’m feeling a little bit tired. This is my fourth week in a row,” Green said. “I’m still probably on Cloud Nine. I think that helped me push through.”
Green, ranked 14th, has headed home to Australia after two prior LPGA Tour victories but stayed two extra weeks this time.
“I’m going back home on Monday,” she said. “So I’m so close to being home I got to make sure that I remember I’m here to win a golf tournament and I’m not in Australia yet.”
Also in the field this week is fourth-ranked American Lilia Vu, who won her first Major title at last month’s Chevron Championship.
World No 1 Nelly Korda of the United States has a new caddie for this week in former Tiger Woods bagman Joe LaCava, who is working with other players while the 15-time Major winner is idled indefinitely following right ankle surgery.
© Agence France-Presse
