LANCASTER – Minjee Lee made up a three-stroke deficit while Andrea Lee came from two shots back to catch leader Wichanee Meechai on June 1, forging a three-way tie and setting up what could be a drama-filled final round at the US Women’s Open.
Minjee Lee knocked in an impressive eagle at the par-five seventh hole, then recorded birdies at the 11th, 12th and 16th after carding a bogey on No. 14.
The Australian’s third-round, four-under 66 matched the low round of the tournament and put her at five-under 205 at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
When asked if her previous win at this event in 2022 might aid her on June 2, she did not hesitate to embrace the moment.
“I’m sure they’re going to make it a little bit harder than today,” the Australian, 28, said of her rivals. “But looking forward to the challenge and really looking forward to tomorrow.
“It’s hard to get like super high on your expectations because it’s always tough – it’s tough if you have super high expectations and the course is hard and difficult.
“I tried to just keep it pretty calm, and I just tried to be patient out there.”
Wichanee, after two birdies on the first and seventh holes, suffered bogeys on 10th and 14th to open the door before stemming the tide with a birdie on 15th for a 69.
“To be honest, yesterday I thought about missing the cut because I used to be in this position,” said the 31-year-old Thai.
“Like the first day I shot pretty good, and then the second day I just like 80s and missed the cut by one. I cried a lot.
“I never think that I’m going to be on the leaderboard or something like that. But it’s great. It feels really good…
“I was so excited this morning because all the par fours, two sides of the hole, it’s like filling with all the crowds.”
Andrea Lee had an up-and-down first nine – mixing three birdies with two bogeys – before coming in with consecutive birdies from the 15th hole.
“I think I’m just steadily getting a little bit better every year and just finding my rhythm out here on Tour,” the American, 25, said.
“I feel really comfortable, especially this season. I feel like this is the most comfortable I’ve felt out here and the most fun that I’ve had since turning professional.
“I’m just trying to keep it as light as possible and just have a good mindset going into every single tournament.”
While the co-leaders have the advantage, two others are under par for the tournament and sit within striking distance. Hinako Shibuno of Japan shot a 66 and sits two strokes back in fourth.
Compatriot Yuka Saso (69), the first round leader, is fifth at two under.
Saso, the Major’s champion in 2021 when she represented the Philippines, said: “I don’t think I’m going to change anything. Just keep doing what I’m doing and focus on every shot and enjoy the last day of the US Open.” REUTERS, AFP