Date: April 02, 2017
Author: Martin Blake

Lee in with major show

Australia's brilliant, young professional Minjee Lee has played herself into a chance to win her first major championship in California tomorrow.

Lee, 20, is tied-third in the ANA Inspiration at Rancho Mirage through three rounds, just three shots from the lead held by American Lexi Thompson.

The Perth pro is on track to at least record her best finish in a major, beating the ninth finish at the Women's British Open in 2015.

But she will be aiming high tomorrow after a four-under par 68 in the third round today.

She had six birdies and two bogeys in her round today, overtaken late it the day by Thompson and Suzann Pettersen.

Lee was a world No. 1 amateur when she was progressing through the programs of Golf WA and Golf Australia, part of a world championship winning Australian team and twice Australian amateur champion, as well as the US girls' champion.

This is her third season on the LPGA Tour, where she has won three tournaments and moved inside the top 20 on the world rankings.

Meanwhile on the men's PGA Tour, the chances of another Australian grabbing a spot in next week's Masters tournament evaporated at the Houston Open. The closest Aussie is Aaron Baddeley, tied-eighth but out of contention through three rounds.

The Houston Open winner gets a berth straight into the Masters at Augusta National.