In late January, Alison Lee had a grim encounter. During a ski trip with her boyfriend, his rescue dog bit her hand. As a result, the pro golfer received a diagnosis of lymphangitis and underwent surgery to remove the infection by cutting open and stitching her left hand in two places. This in turn led to a late 2024 start.
Lee played her first event in Singapore at the HSBC Women’s World Championship last month, where she finished tied for 51st. However, now at the second start of the season, at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, Lee seems to have gotten the hang of her game after recovering from the injury.
Alison Lee shares her struggle to find her form
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During the post-round 1 interview of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship, Alison Lee opened up about the stress she had faced in making a return to her form. The 2-time LET winner revealed that she usually takes time off during off-season. However, Lee didn’t anticipate an extension of her break.
She explained, “I got that dog bite, [and] I had to take like another two weeks off without touching my clubs. I felt like I had to start all over again.” So, when her season started at the HSBC event in February, Lee couldn’t return as planned. “I did feel really rushed to try and get my game back into form,” she said.
“Playing in Singapore was really disappointing for me. I only had a couple weeks of practice going into that week, but I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” said the 29-year-old, almost apologetically. However, after doubting her game for a while, Lee started putting in the work and “spent a lot of time” with her putting and swing coaches. She prepped well for her game at the Palos Verdes GC, and it shows. Even she herself was glad. “Shooting a low number that first round, it feels good, yeah,” Lee admitted. The LPGA star shot a 5-under par, 66.
After round one, Alison Lee currently holds a tie for third place at the Fir Hill Seri Pak Championship. This is a 180-degree change from her performance in Singapore, where she started the event with one of the worst rounds to date.
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Lee’s first-round difference in her two starts in 2024
At the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Alison Lee was fresh off injury and struggled immensely in the opening round. Lee managed to pull her round off with zero birdies and six bogeys. She finished with a score of 9 over 79 and was among the only players to shoot that high. However, coming to the Palos Verdes GC, Lee was fully prepared.
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Her time spent in the practice arena with the putting and swing coach undoubtedly benefited her. She shot six birdies, offset by only one bogey, in round one of the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. Now, just two strokes behind the leader, Lee is vying for her first LPGA win. Will she be able to capitalize on the remaining three rounds to grab it, though? Only time will tell!
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