Minjee Lee missed the cut last week at the LOTTE Championship, the first time since the 2019 Amundi Evian Championship that she did not play the weekend, but the current Rolex Rankings No. 11 did not enjoy sightseeing the Hawaiian paradise. Instead, she went right back to work. It’s that kind of mentality that makes Lee a five-time LPGA Tour champion.
“I actually went to practice [at Kapolei Golf Club],” said Lee, the HUGEL-Air Premia LA Open defending champion. “I have been there [to Hawaii] a lot of times now, so I wanted to get more confident with my putting.
“The greens are actually quite small here [at Wilshire Country Club], and poa annua is a challenging type of grass to putt on. I think the speed, you have to trust it’s going to go the way you think and putt.”
Lee carded a final-round 68 in 2019 with four birdies to claim a four-stroke victory. A return to Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park is sure to be the cure for any missed-cut blues she is still experiencing.
“Actually, when I parked the car and walked down the stairs yesterday, all these memories came back,” Lee said. “It is really nice to be back. I really like this golf course, the layout kind of tricky and unique. I’m glad we got to come back here this year.
“I was pretty disappointed [missing the cut last week]. I have been striking it really good and just have to make more putts. That’s the bottom line for me. I’ve been grinding so hopefully will have a good week.”
The Australian will begin her title defense tomorrow at 12:59 p.m. local time off No. 1 tee with playing partners Shanshan Feng and Lexi Thompson.
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