Published July 17, 2008 on October 2, 2021

Minjee Lee Takes Control at Hana Financial Group Championship

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Australian Major winner Minjee Lee used her solid ball striking to roar into contention with a third-round four-under-par 67 at the Hana Financial Group Championship on Saturday.

 

The Australian dropped a shot on the fourth hole but recovered superbly with two birdies on the next two holes at the Adonis Country Club in Pocheon to remain in the hunt for her second silverware this year.

 

Lee, who won her Major title in July, sank three more birdies on the 11th, 14th and 18th for the outright lead with her three-day total of 13-under-par 200.

 

“I feel like I rushed things a bit in the front-nine but I found a good rhythm in the back-nine. I missed some good putting opportunities in the back- nine but I made three birdies, so I am happy overall,” said Lee, who is planning to stick to the same plan tomorrow.

 

“I want to play aggressively like I did the past three rounds. The pin positions were a bit more difficult today. Tomorrow, I’m going to try to place it closer to the pin for easier putts.

 

“I’m going to play hard and focus on what I can control. I will do my best with a happy and fun mindset,” said the world number seven, who is also relishing a friendly battle with her New Zealander friend Lydia Ko on the course tomorrow.

 

“I’ve known her since we were children and playing as amateurs. She’s younger than me but we act more like friends. We’re comfortable around each other and seeing each other often allows us to become close,” said the 25-year-old.

 

It is poised to be a tight battle in the final round as South Koreans Song Ga Eun and Kim Su Ji are lurking not far behind. Song and Kim are just one stroke behind Lee after returning with a 65 and 66 respectively while Ko also remains on track for a final day charge after firing a 68.

 

After stumbling with a bogey on the fifth hole, Lydia posted four birdies on the ninth, 10th, 13th and 15th to claim her share of seventh spot with six other golfers, including the winners of the first two Hana Financial Group Championship editions  – Jang Ha-na (2019) and An Na-rin (2020) – at  203 total.

 

 

Ko, who won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters in 2013, had a blemish-free second round of six-under-par 66 on Friday.

 

Song said her strategy to keep to the greens paid off.

 

“The courses felt a bit long so I went more for long irons. I hit with the goal of simply getting it on the green rather than looking directly for the pin and when the opportunities came, I did my best to grab it which I believe is why I was able to get good results.”

 

“I came in today thinking “I need to finish as the leader,” so I’m not satisfied with my results. I think I will be satisfied if I worried more about my personal play than worrying about my placement. “I am going to play calmly as I normally do without getting scared,” said the South Korean.

 

Lee So Mi meanwhile failed to retain her overnight lead after battling to a 71. So Mi, who had been in brilliant form with 67 and 65 on the first two days, is sitting in a seven-way tie at seventh spot.