• Minjee Lee: Pinehurst is going to be tough

Minjee Lee prepares for this week`s U.S Women`s Open at Pinehurst No.2
Australia`s World Number 1 amateur Minjee Lee has arrived at Pinehurst Resort ahead this week`s U.S Women`s Open. The men`s and women`s championships are being held back-to-back for the first time in their history.

The 18 year-old from Royal Fremantle will be playing her second Major championship after being crowned leading amateur at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in early April.

\"Yeah I’m excited to be here. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity to test my skills and to see how I am compared to the others in the field,\" Lee told Golf.org.au

\"At the Kraft Nabisco, I learnt that I can mix it with the professionals and contend. I think it’s still going to be a pretty tough setup. I walked a couple of holes today and they were looking pretty torn up but still playable,\" Lee said.

Western Australian coach Ritchie Smith spent the previous week coaching Oliver Goss and will now coach Lee in the women`s championship.

\"I think Ritchie has a very good idea of how this course is playing and where I need to land it on the greens around here to give myself the best opportunity at pars and birdies,\" Lee said.

In terms of her goals this week, Lee is keeping her cards close but acknowledged the difficulty of the Pinehurst layout.

\"It’s so hard over here. To get into the top 15, top 10 would be great,\" Lee said.

Lee will tee off alongside Americans Dori Carter and Kristy McPherson in the opening two rounds.

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