Is Defending Champion of 2023 US Women’s Open, Minjee Lee, Playing at Pebble Beach?

In 2022, Minjee Lee emerged victorious at the US Women’s Open by four strokes over Mina Harigae at the renowned Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. In doing so, Lee not only won the second major of her career but also earned an incredible $1.8 million, the largest-ever payout in women’s golf.

So, will Lee descend upon the Pebble Beach Golf Links this year to defend her title? How has the 27-year-old fared so far in 2023? Let’s find out!

Will Minjee Lee appear in the 2023 US Women’s Open?

The 78th edition of the US Women’s Open is just days away from kicking off at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. The oldest major in women’s golf, the event will see the biggest golfers in the world vying for the top prize. But will World No. 6 and 2-time Minjee Lee be a part of the stacked field?

One of the qualification criteria for the US Women’s Open states that the winners of its ten prior editions are exempt from playing. As the reigning champion, Lee is therefore eligible to compete.

The Aussie golfer had most recently appeared at the Women’s PGA Championship in Baltusrol, where she managed to script a top-20 finish. Ahead of teeing it up at the year’s third major, Lee is working on improving her form, news.com.au reported her as saying. “I’m trying to get better every day, physically, mentally, and technically,” she said.

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Besides Lee, three other pros from down under, Hannah Green, Grace Kim, and Gabriela Ruffels, will be a part of the field at Pebble Beach. Australian amateur Maddison Hinson-Tolchard will also be making her major championship debut.

How has Lee fared in 2023 so far?

In 2021, Minjee Lee won her first-ever major at the Evian Championship. A year later, she became one of six Australians to achieve multiple major championships. A victory this week will make her only the fourth Aussie since Hall of Famers Karrie Webb (seven), Peter Thomson (five), and Jan Stephenson (three) to win more than two major titles in their lifetime.

But how is her form looking currently? So far in 2023, Lee has had a single top-5 finish, which came at the Founders Cup in May. She has since managed to script three back-to-back top-20 finishes. In comparison, the golfer was a force to be reckoned with last year, achieving two wins and six top-10 finishes.

Regardless, the golfer will be hoping to return to her winning ways this week. The US Women’s Open will be held from July 6–9 and will boast a 156-player field. The major’s previous year’s edition had a historic prize purse of $10,000,000.

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Do you think Minjee Lee will be able to win her second US Women’s Open trophy this year? Which golfer are you rooting for to win the major? Tell us in the comments!