The WA golfer has fired rounds of 69, 71 and 72 to be at two-over-par for the tournament and tied for third position. Lee will be chasing a pair of 24-year-olds, American Michelle Wie and South Korean Amy Yang, share the third-round lead at the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA. Yang fired a 2-under 68 and Wie shot a 2-over 72 to sit tied atop the leaderboard after 54 holes at Pinehurst No. 2.
They lead by four shots over a group of four players including LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster, who will turn 54 on Tuesday, Lee, Na Yeon Choi and Stephanie Meadow.
Not out of it either is Queensland’s Karrie Webb, a third round of 70 has her at three-over and certainly in the mix. If Webb can post a score tomorrow, she will be hoping to capture her eighth major title.
Lee has drawn some inspiration after meeting a collection of past champions of the event at a dinner function when she attended as two-time winner Karrie Webb’s guest. She said she met Catherine Lacoste, the only woman to win the championship as an amateur when she did in 1967.
“After dinner, they kind of went — everyone spoke and told us about what’s their best moment of winning an Open,” said Lee.
“So that was pretty inspirational.” Lee said earlier in the week her nerves on golf’s biggest stage have yet to be rattled and said her ability to stay in the moment and to keep her emotions in check have helped her play so well at Pinehurst No. 2. If Lee doesn’t end up with the victory at the end of the day on Sunday, she could have another title under her name.
Lee won low amateur honors at the Tour’s first major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and could go 2-2 as the low am with a solid round on Sunday. “I’ve been in this position, but not in a big tournament like this, obviously,” said Lee. “Yeah, I think it will be different and I’ll just try my best.”
Katherine Kirk (74) is back at nine-over-par at shares 26th position, while Nikki Campbell was the only other Aussie to make the week-end. Campbell is tied for 64th at 15-over-par after a 76.