A conversation at the US Open champions dinner at Pebble Beach on Monday night rammed home the opportunity Aussie star Minjee Lee has this week.
Lee, the world No.6, is trying to become the first back-to-back champion since Karrie Webb achieved the feat in 2000 and 2001 and the Aussie legend was in her ear about making it happen.
“She said the next one has to be an Aussie, too,” Lee revealed ahead of the opening round at the iconic course in California.
“A little bit of added pressure, but it was pretty cool for her to say that to me.”
Lee, who cruised to her second major championship at Pine Needles last year, is one of five Australians vying for their share of the record $15m prize pool, which was also the subject of much discussion among the past winners.
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Just two years ago, in 2021, the prize pool was half what it is in 2023, and that’s not lost on the current players like Lee who could net $2.2m should she win again.
“We were talking about the prize purses throughout the years, and it just put so much perspective on me,” she said.
It’s a tournament of firsts, being played at Pebble Beach for the first time, presenting a whole new challenge to the world’s best players.
Lee opted out of seeing the course before her arrival this week and has been struck by the layout, which she said would be “quite tough”.
“I played the back nine (on Monday) and it was still quite spectacular even though I didn’t have much of the view,” she said.
“But I’m going to play the front nine today and I think it’s much more scenic. But I think the course itself is in really great condition. The rough is very lush. The fairways and greens are also in great condition.
“I think overall the course is going to be a really great test for all of us. There’s a mix of really great holes, some longer holes, shorter holes. I think if the wind gets up, it will be quite tough.”
Playing in her first US Open, rising Aussie star Gabriela Ruffels is trying to channel Tiger Woods, watching his triumph at the turn of the century for inspiration.
“I kind of watched the re-run of Tiger in 2000 the other day,” the 23-year-old said.
“That was pretty cool, when he was leading into Sunday by 10, if I’m not mistaken.
“I don’t normally do that but I figured I was going to Pebble Beach next week, it might be good homework to do. It’s also very exciting any time you watch Tiger.
“Little homework, little watching just for fun.”
Lee and Ruffels will be joined in the field by 2019 PGA winner Hannah Green, Grace Kim and amateur Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
FIRST ROUND AUSTRALIAN TEE TIMES
1:17am (Friday AEST) – Minjee Lee, (a) Saki Baba, Japan; Ashleigh Buhai, South Africa
7:13am (Friday AEST) – Ayaka Furue, Japan; Hannah Green, Linn Grant, Sweden
Midnight (Friday AEST) / Sadie Englemann, Austin, Texas; Gabriela Ruffels, Charlotte Thomas, England
12:11am (Friday AEST) – Bronte Law, England; Grace Kim, (a) Monet Chun, Canada
2:01am (Friday AEST) – Albane Valenzuela, Switzerland; Momoko Ueda, Japan; (a) Maddison Hinson-Tolchard
