Minjee Lee won the Dubai Moonlight Classic in the playoffs to clinch her first title of 2020 and second on the Ladies European Tour
The victory at the event, which made history last year as the world’s first professional day and night golf tournament, is Lee’s eighth professional success
« This year has been tough, but it’s a good way to end it, » said Lee
« I really enjoyed the format and everything about the week, my second time playing night golf was certainly memorable »
The 24-year-old won the co-sanctioned LET and ALPG Victorian Open in 2018, a tournament she also won in 2014 as an amateur, and is a five-time LPGA champion
Australian star Lee and Céline Boutier returned to play 18th in the spotlight at Emirates Golf Club after finishing tied at 10 under par after 54 holes of regulation play
Boutier left his birdie before Lee passed 20 feet to seal victory on the first extra hole and claim the « coffee maker inspired » trophy and winner’s prize of 36,266 euros (A $ 59,335 )
« I couldn’t really see the break on the last hole really well, but I thought it would be about two cuts outside of the right and luckily I hit him pretty hard and he fell », said Lee, from Perth
« It’s quite special to be here playing at night and the course has been amazing
Lee, the top-ranked player in the field this week at No9, carded an under-three 69 in the final round to join Boutier in the playoffs
The French Boutier had led most of the day, until a late scarecrow proved costly, signing for a 68
Lee and Boutier finished a shot in front of a trio of players Nuria Iturrioz of Spain (67), Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck (70) and second round leader Caroline Hedwall (72) of Sweden
Young Australian Stephanie Kyriacou carded a third straight 71 to split 17th at three under while her compatriot Whitney Hiller (75) slipped down the standings to finish at nine on
Starting Friday’s closing round with a share of third, Lee birdied the 1st, 10th, 14th and 16th as she chased Boutier, who had been free until an untimely error on par 5 16
Minjee Lee, Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic, Ladies European Tour, Dubai, Lydia Ko
News from around the world – AU – Minjee Lee lights up with victory in Dubai
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com