DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Following a season that cemented her status among the greats of Australian golf, Minjee Lee enters 2026 with a singular focus: completing the career Grand Slam.

The 29-year-old native of Perth is coming off a dominant 2025 campaign highlighted by her third major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and her second Rolex ANNIKA Major Award. As the LPGA Tour prepares for its 2026 season opener, Lee sits at No. 3 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, trailing only Jeeno Thitikul and Nelly Korda in what has become a high-stakes race at the top of the women's game.

Last season proved to be a statistical masterclass for Lee, who revitalized her performance by switching to a long putter. The adjustment, recommended by her longtime coach Ritchie Smith, addressed the "flatstick" struggles that had hindered her in 2024. The move paid immediate dividends; she finished the 2025 season ranked second in strokes gained putting and fifth in putts per green in regulation. This newfound consistency on the greens complemented her elite ball-striking, resulting in a scoring average per round of 69.64—currently ranked third on tour.

Lee earned her 11th career LPGA Tour title with a victory at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in June 2025. By securing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a three-stroke victory, she joined Hall of Fame legends Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson as the only Australians to win three different major championships. The win also allowed her to surpass iconic figures like Greg Norman on Australia’s all-time major wins list, further establishing her as the premier golfer of her generation from the island nation.

Beyond individual accolades, Lee led Team Australia to victory at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown, showcasing her leadership in the team format. Her sustained excellence throughout the season was reflected across the LPGA Tour’s statistical categories, as she remained a fixture near the top of leaderboards and season-long standings. That consistency pushed her career earnings past the $18.6 million mark, underscoring the longevity and high level of play she has maintained since breaking onto the tour.

As the 2026 season approaches, the primary narrative surrounding Lee will be her pursuit of the two majors that still elude her trophy case: The Chevron Championship and the AIG Women’s Open. A victory in either would make her only the eighth woman in history to achieve an LPGA-recognized career Grand Slam.

Statistically, Lee remains a threat on any course layout. Her 2025 metrics showed no weaknesses; she averaged 265.93 yards off the tee and ranked ninth in greens in regulation at 74.79%. Perhaps most impressively, she led the tour in sand saves, converting 61.05% of her opportunities from the bunkers.

With the tour beginning this month at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Lee appears poised to continue her ascent. With her putting issues resolved and her confidence at an all-time high, the 2026 season offers Lee the chance to transition from a world-class competitor to a permanent fixture in the World Golf Hall of Fame.

A Major Mission Awaits Minjee Lee in 2026

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