Lee Scores Record $1.8M LPGA Payout With US Open Title

Minjee Lee’s record-setting run to the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open title should finally put the 26-year-old on the international radar.

The Australian fired an even-par 71 at Southern Pines, North Carolina, on Sunday to claim a five-shot victory and her second career major — a win that catapulted her into the top 20 on the LPGA’s all-time money list.

Lee took home $1.8 million — the biggest payout in women’s golf history — from an LPGA-record $10 million purse, continuing her rise as a next-gen star.

• Lee’s set U.S. Women’s Open records for fewest strokes through 54 holes (200) and 72 holes (271).
• She leads this season’s money list with $2.6M and ranks 18th all-time at $11M.
• Lee moved up to third in the world rankings.

Lee’s second victory in 2022 also represents her second in her last three starts, as well as her fourth consecutive top-12 finish.

A victory next month at Washington, D.C.’s Women’s PGA Championship would make Lee the first to win back-to-back majors since Inbee Park won three in a row in 2013. 

In addition to her two major titles — her first was the Evian Championship in July 2021 — Lee has third-place major finishes at the 2017 Ana Inspiration and 2020 British Open.