Canadian woman wins her first LPGA title at the $400,000 event in the kingdom
Minjee Lee finished at six under par to win the Saudi Ladies International by three strokes on Sunday.
The Australian, 21, who won her first LPGA title, shot a final round 65 at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club to finish on 22-under for the tournament.
Minjee Lee takes first LPGA title at Saudi Ladies International Read more
Li Hye-jung, who began the day tied for the lead with Lee, held on to second place for her fourth runner-up finish in a major this year.
The South Korean birdied her first two holes of the final round to jump into a three-way tie with Lee and Betsy King, who was nine under par through 12 holes.
But with birdies on 15 and 16, Lee increased her lead to three strokes. In the final group with 23-year-old amateur Fatima Al Banna, Lee’s eagle putt on the 17th hole sailed past the hole. But she made up for it with another birdie on the 18th, capping her win with a two-putt birdie.
The $400,000 tournament was the first major of the year on the Women’s LPGA Tour. Despite the success, the tournament was met with widespread condemnation and protests from women’s rights activists.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plans call for women to play a major role in the country’s economic development and raise the percentage of women employed to 30% by 2030.