“This whole week was kind of like a dream.”
Andrea Lee made the most of her sponsor’s exemption at the Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America. The Hermosa Beach native, who is an honorary member at Palos Verdes Golf Club, carded a 2-under 69 to tie her best career finish on Tour, a tie for fifth, at -7 overall. Lee, who recently won on the Epson Tour at the Casino Del Sol Golf Classic to achieve her first professional victory, pulled together four birdies to her two bogeys to finish off the week near her hometown on a high.
“It's been incredibly special to have some of my family out here following, friends just around the South Bay and LA area. It's been great to have the home crowd,” said Lee, who was staying at home while competing this week. “Top 10 finish feels amazing.”
Lee had her father on the bag until today when she had swing coach Jim Gormley looping for her at PVGC. Gormley is the Director of Golf at this week’s host course, and Lee said his insight was crucial on the final day. “Jim knows this place like the back of his hand obviously. There were some reads out there yesterday that I felt like I just couldn't get down, so asked him to be on the bag today, and he definitely helped out there,” said Lee. “These greens are really tricky to read and you got to make putts if you want to be in contention out here.”
Lee said her goal this week was a top finish knowing the Tour’s first reshuffle is ahead following the Cognizant Founders Cup. Lee missed the cut at the 2021 LPGA Q-Series, relegating her Tour status to a minimum this year, but after her finish in Palos Verdes and even her tie for 12th at the LOTTE Championship, she sees her game trending in the right direction.
“The game feels great. It just shows I can be out here in contention and try to win an LPGA Tour event,” said Lee, who also will be participating in an upcoming U.S. Women’s Open presented by ProMedica qualifier coming up. “Just going to keep going.”
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