Minjee Lee turns professional
WA teen sensation Minjee Lee has ended a stunning amateur career by turning professional today.
Lee will make her first appearance as a professional next week at The Evian Championship in France – the LPGA Tour’s newest major championship.
The Royal Fremantle member made the announcement via a light-hearted video with Fremantle Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich for the Golf Australia website this morning.
Lee has had a brilliant year in which she ascended to world No.1 on the amateur rankings and played almost exclusively at professional tournaments.
The 18-year-old is already world No.80 in the professional rankings and has already played in three of the majors this year.
She had her first professional victory at the Victorian Open in February and has missed out on about $200,000 in prize money this because of her amateur status.
Lee, who burst on to the scene in 2012 when she became the first Australian to win the US junior girls’ championship, said she was excited about her move into professional ranks.
“I have really enjoyed my amateur career,” she said.
“I’ve had great experiences both here in Australia and overseas and I’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of support services and resources from Golf Australia and have had additional help from Golf WA and Royal Fremantle over that journey.
“I would thank Golf Australia, Golf WA, Royal Fremantle and its members for everything they’ve done for me – the support has been really important.”
Lee yesterday led Australia to victory at the World Amateur Teams Championship in Japan in what was her final outing as an amateur.
“Finishing my amateur career as the world number one is a real honour and I’m very proud to have been awarded the Mark H. McCormack medal,” Lee said.
“Together with my family, friends and my coach Ritchie Smith, we have put in so much work in recent years to get to this point and after having a taste of Tour life this year, I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Golf Australia High Performance Director Brad James described Lee as a special talent.
James believed Lee had the ability to become the top player in the world.
“The pathway to becoming the world’s No.1 player takes a great deal of hard work and dedication,” he said.
“We believe Minjee has those qualities as she strives to achieve that goal.
“It was clear to us early on that Minjee had all the tools to make it at the international level.”
