Meena Lee wins, Hull second at Canadian Open
IN: News | LPGA | Canadian Women's Open (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 18 Jul 2005
Yet another first time winner has emerged on the LPGA Tour with Korean, Meena Lee, winning the BMO Financial Group's Canadian Open today. Just six weeks ago, Lee finished runner up to countrywoman Jimin Kang at the LPGA Corning Classic with Kang winning for the first time on the USPGA Tour and then was second again at the HSBC Match Play two weeks ago.
Today it was Lee's turn as she held off a challenge from another yet to win on the LPGA Tour, Australian Katherine Hull, to win by a shot.
Lee was a previous Korean Amateur Champion and did not move to the US to play her golf until 2004 when she was on the Futures Tour. Although she could only manage 23rd on the money list last year on that tour, she entered the LPGA Qualifying at year's end and finished 25th, earning exempt status for 2005.
Lee has taken to the LPGA Tour quickly. She struggled in her first few weeks but her runner up placing to Kang in Corning saw her share second place with Annika Sorenstam which would no doubt have been a huge confidence boost. She followed that up with another second place this time at the HSBC Match Play event in New Jersey when beaten in the final by Marisa Baena.
Lee's quest for victory was nearly brought undone with two bogeys in the middle of her back nine but a birdie at the 16th saw her edge ahead again.
Hull, from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, a graduate of Pepperdine University and a member of the successful Espirito Santo Trophy team in 2002, had a good rookie season in 2004 but this year has not been as good. Her best before this had been 38th and therefore this represented quite a turnaround.
"I feel like my game is probably is the best it's ever been. My ball-striking is by far. My short game is coming around. You've just got to give yourself opportunities. I did today. Put this up as a good experience and hopefully you can go do better next time," she said at the press conference. Hull's birdie at the last saw her break clear of a share of second with Leta Lindley, who let slip a great chance for her first win also when she bogeyed the last.
Yet another Australian had a good week when Lindsey Wright finished 16th. Wright is having a fine first season on the USPGA Tour. Shani Waugh was 31st and Mardi Lunn 65th.
The Canadian Open now has a problem as, with the likelihood of no sponsor in place by the deadline of September, the event appears destined to not be staged in 2006. The tournament had none of the LPGA stars there this year and while it was good for the likes of Lee and Hull to capitalise on their absence, it does nothing for the event in terms of satisfying sponsor's needs.
The LPGA Tour now heads to France for the Evian Masters.
