Minjee Lee Overtakes Charley Hull and Others in Rankings After KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Triumph
Minjee Lee’s victory at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has reshaped the women’s golf landscape, propelling the Australian star past Charley Hull and several others in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The 29-year-old’s third major title, secured on June 22 at Fields Ranch East in Frisco, Texas, underscored her resilience and skill under grueling conditions, cementing her status as one of the game’s elite. Lee’s triumph not only added $1.8 million to her earnings but also vaulted her from 24th to a significantly higher position, overtaking players like Hull, who struggled to keep pace in the windy Texas showdown.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the third major of the 2025 LPGA season, was a test of mental and physical endurance. Fields Ranch East, with its firm greens, rolling topography, and relentless winds, challenged even the most seasoned competitors. Lee entered the final round with a four-stroke lead over world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, but the course’s difficulty ensured no one wasn’t under par. Despite carding a 2-over-par 74 on Sunday, with three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, Lee maintained her composure. Her birdies, including a critical 9-footer at the 14th and another at the 15th, kept her at 4-under 284 for the tournament, three strokes ahead of Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen, the only other players to finish under par.
Lee’s performance was particularly notable given the context of her season. Before Frisco, she had not won on the LPGA Tour since the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. Her third-round 69, the only bogey-free round of the week, showcased her ability to adapt to the course’s demands. “I used a bit of reverse psychology out there,” Lee said post-round, reflecting on her mental approach. “The conditions were brutal, but I trusted my game and stayed patient.” Her victory made her the first Australian to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship since Hannah Green in 2019 and the third Australian woman, alongside Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson, to claim three or more major titles.
The rankings shift following Lee’s win was immediate and significant. Charley Hull, who started the tournament in the top 10, was among those overtaken. Hull, paired with Somi Lee and Auston Kim in a featured group, struggled to find rhythm in the windy conditions, finishing outside the top tier. While exact post-tournament rankings updates are still being finalized, Lee’s 650.000 points from the victory ensured a substantial leap, likely placing her closer to the top 10. Players like Thitikul, who finished tied for fourth at 1-over, and Nelly Korda, the world No. 1 who closed with a 76, also saw their positions tested, though Korda’s lead at the top remains secure for now.
Lee’s rise is a testament to her consistency in majors. Her previous titles at the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship and 2022 U.S. Women’s Open demonstrated her ability to perform on big stages. In Frisco, she ranked first in Strokes Gained: Total and Putting, stats that highlighted her dominance under pressure. “This one feels special because of how tough it was,” Lee said, clutching the trophy. “I had to dig deep, especially with the wind and heat.” Her brother, Min Woo Lee, was among the first to congratulate her, adding an emotional layer to the victory for the Texas resident.
The $12 million purse, matching the U.S. Women’s Open for the largest in women’s golf, underscored the event’s growing prestige. Lee’s $1.8 million prize matched her 2022 U.S. Women’s Open earnings, reinforcing her as one of the tour’s top earners. Meanwhile, players like Maja Stark, who broke her putter in frustration, and Lexi Thompson, who closed with a 76, highlighted the course’s unforgiving nature.
As the LPGA Tour moves forward, Lee’s resurgence poses a challenge to the established order. Her climb past Hull and others signals a return to form that could see her contending for a career grand slam. For now, her focus remains on consistency. “I’m just trying to play my best each week,” she said. With the rankings reflecting her latest triumph, Lee’s rivals know she’s a force to be reckoned with.
