Minjee Lee in box seat for third major after blitzing field at PGA Championship

Minjee Lee has blitzed the field to open up a commanding four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the women’s PGA Championship.

Australian golf star Minjee Lee has put herself in the box seat to capture a third career major after blitzing the field to open up a commanding four-stroke lead heading into the final round of the women’s PGA Championship in Texas.

Starting her third round tied for second spot, three shots behind Thailand’s world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, Lee shot a flawless bogey-free round of three-under-69 to jump four clear at the top of the leaderboard at six-under-par for the tournament.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I think I played really well within myself today. Took the birdies when I could and made really great up and downs when I was out of position,” Lee said.

“I’m going to try and stick to the same game plan and get it over the line tomorrow.”

Minjee Lee reacts after making a birdie on the 14th hole during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Picture: AFP

Like every other player on the course, except Lee, Thitikul struggled in the tricky windy conditions at Fields Ranch East at Frisco, carding a 76 to end the day at two-under.

Lee and Thitikul are the only players under par for the championship, the third women’s major for 2025.

Their three closest pursuers - American Lexi Thompson, Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi and Japan’s Miya Yamashita - all finished at one–over - seven behind Lee, who is used to dealing with different weather after growing up in Perth then relocating to Dallas after turning professional.

“If you’re talking about the wind, I reside here as well. I’m constantly practising in windy conditions,” she said.

“Obviously having grown up in Australia it’s always windy, especially where I practice. It is windy but not this windy.

“It’s really consistent as well. So I think yes I can hit a knockdown shot, but you also have to play the wind. You have to play so much extra out here. You have to be a little more creative I think more than anything.”

The older sister of PGA star Minwoo, Lee is already a dual major after claiming the Evian Championship in 2021 then the US Open in 2022.

If the 29-year-old can maintain her advantage and lift the trophy, she will join Karrie Webb (7), Peter Thomson (5) and Jan Stephenson (3) as the only Australian golfers to win three or more of the sport’s coveted majors.

“It feels really big. I think obviously major Sunday is a different story. This is round three, so I think I have to still dig deep and post a score even with a four-shot lead,” Lee said.

“So I’m just going to put my head down and just work on the things that I can do and do it to the best of my ability. That’s what I’m going to focus on.

“I did look at the leaderboards, but I was just pretty much looking at where I was, not the other scores. I didn’t really let my mind go that far.

“I just kind of tried to play each shot as it came to me, and especially in these conditions it’s going to be tough for everyone. I just tried to execute my 100% on each shot.”

Despite holding a big lead, Lee knows from past experience that she can’t take anything for granted after blowing chances to close out majors before.

Minjee Lee knows the job isn’t done yet. Picture: Sam Hodde/Getty Images

While she’s won two, she also let a third slip through her fingers last year, when she held a three-stroke advantage during the final round of the US Open before her game unravelled and she tumbled down the leaderboard to finish tied for ninth.

“Major Sunday is like no other, so regardless of where you are I don’t think you’re really ever in a comfortable position until you’re holding that trophy,” Lee said.

“I’ve had both experiences and I’m sure both of them will help me tomorrow. I’m just going to do my very best.

Lee will be paired in the final group with Thitikul, who is chasing her third major and was in awe of how well the Australian played in the swirling conditions.

“She played absolutely A-Game for sure,” Thitikul said.

“I never saw her miss today at all, even tee shots. I think she just missed one tee shot and then like always on the fairway, always in the green, two putts. I was like, wow, that’s really impressive.”

Originally published as Minjee Lee in box seat for third major after blitzing field at PGA Championship