Lee leads Korean domination of CJ Nine Bridges

BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2005 CJ Nine Bridges Classic | Wrap | 30 Oct 2005

Such was the domination by local Jee Young Lee at the LPGA co-sanctioned CJ Nine Bridges Classic on Jeju Island off the south coast of Korea, she was able to drop three shots in her last four holes today and still win by three.

It was a remarkable week for the local, who was playing in her first LPGA event and for whom the victory would mean so much. That she was able to play as well as she did today while playing alongside two of her country’s more decorated and credentialed players and on such an important stage, indicates that a step up to LPGA Tour status in 2006 will now be a lot easier for her.

Lee had dropped five shots in the last five holes on Saturday also but on a tough demanding golf course and in conditions which made scoring difficult she led by three as she headed into today’s final round.

She had opened up a huge lead with just a few holes to go but understandably nerves and perhaps lack of experience got the better of her in the run to the line. Still if she was struggling so were many other more experienced and established players and tonight she is a young lady (20) with a huge future on the LPGA Tour.

She has played the Korean Ladies Tour this year and in fact won the Korean Women’s Open. She is therefore no stranger to winning but this was another level again and with so much more at stake.

11 year LPGA veteran Carin Koch continued her great season with a runner up placing, which she shared with Mi Hyun Kim. Koch won earlier in the year at the Corona Morelia Championship for just her second victory on the LPGA Tour.

Hee Young Park and Jeong Jang completed a good week for the locals, who filled eight of the top thirteen placings.

The surprises of the tournament were that Annika Sorenstam never really got into contention and eventually finished 14th and that Paul Creamer let a great opportunity go with a last round of 79.

The best of the Australians was Rachel Hetherington, who was 6th with Wendy Doolan 23rd, Lindsey Wright 51st and Katherine Hull 60th.

The LPGA Tour now heads to Japan for the Mizuno Open.