With new caddie Mikey Paterson on the bag, Lee needed just 51 putts total across the final two rounds and hit 16 of 18 greens in Round 4 to send a clear signal that the 28-year-old is eager to add to her two major championships to date.

Two birdies out of the blocks was the ideal start but it took until the par-4 eighth to get her third for the day.

That was the first of four straight and with further birdies at 13 and 14 and an eagle at the par-5 15th, Lee played the eight-hole stretch in 7-under par.

There was an opportunity to get to 11-under at the par-3 17th that eluded Lee but the West Australian was thrilled to finish the first event of the year in such impressive fashion.

“Before I started today I was like, let’s just get off to a really fast start and see how low I can go today,” said Lee, who shot 63 in Round 2 of the Cognizant Founders Cup that she went on to win in May 2022.

“Having an eagle on 15, it was like the cherry on top. Just hit it really solid and made some really nice putts.

“It was easy today.

“Just with the new putter, getting a little more settled and getting used to that, I think it’s just a really nice confidence booster that I got this round under my belt.”

Lee was one of three Aussies to log top-five finishes this past week, with Cam Davis producing a contender for shot of the year at Pebble Beach and Danny List earning a podium spot on the HotelPlanner Tour in South Africa.

Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Results

LPGA Tour
Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Florida
1          A Lim Kim                    65-69-67-67—268       $US300,000
T4        Minjee Lee                   72-70-70-62—274       $115,392
6          Lydia Ko (NZ)                73-67-65-70—275       $84,205
T20      Hannah Green              70-71-74-71—286       $28,193