Minjee Lee Surges Ahead with Bogey-Free Round at Women’s PGA Championship

Australia’s Minjee Lee delivered a composed and clinical performance on Saturday, carding a bogey-free 3-under 69 in punishing windy conditions to take a commanding four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Women’s PGA Championship.

Competing at the Fields Ranch East course in Frisco, just north of Dallas, Lee handled the blustery weather and soaring temperatures better than anyone, finishing the day at six-under-par 210 — the only player to shoot under par across all three rounds so far.

“I just try to stay patient out there,” said the 29-year-old, who is chasing her third major title following wins at the 2021 Evian Championship and the 2022 US Women’s Open. “You can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in these conditions.”

Starting the day three shots behind Thailand’s Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul, Lee made her first move at the par-4 ninth, blasting out of a bunker to four feet and sinking the putt for birdie. She pulled away on the back nine with a 19-foot birdie on the par-5 14th, while Thitikul three-putted for bogey. Lee then picked up another shot with a birdie at 15 and held her nerve with a key par save at the 18th to remain bogey-free.

Meanwhile, world No. 2 Thitikul saw her early lead unravel. Bogeys on the third and sixth set the tone for a difficult day. Although she rallied briefly with birdies on the eighth and 15th, three more bogeys left her with a 4-over 76 and a four-shot deficit at two-under 214.

Only Lee and Thitikul remain under par as the rest of the field struggled with the tough conditions.

Veteran American Lexi Thompson, playing a limited schedule this season, opened with a triple bogey but recovered slightly to post a 3-over 75, joining South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin (72) and Japan’s Miyu Yamashita (73) in a tie for third at one-over 217.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda battled through the wind for an even-par 72, leaving her tied with four others at two-over 218. “It’s brutal out there,” said Korda. “You’re just happy to get 18 holes in on a day like this.”

Australian Grace Kim produced the round of the day with a sparkling 4-under 68, including six birdies, pushing her into a tie at three-over 219.

As Sunday’s final round looms, Lee remains cautious. “It’s only going to get harder,” she said. “The course demands a lot, and the pressure of a major is always there.”