In a captivating display at the Portland Classic 2024, Andrea Lee is back where she first tasted victory, and she’s not looking to let this opportunity slip away.
The familiar greens of Columbia Edgewater Country Club have been kind to Lee before, and she’s poised to seize another win here.
Currently leading the pack with a one-stroke advantage at -19, Lee is aiming to relive her 2022 triumph and secure her second LPGA Tour victory.
A Promising Start to the Final Push
Back in 2022, Lee clinched her maiden LPGA win in a dramatic showdown, tied with Ayaka Furue and Lilia Vu at the start of the final round.
Fast forward to 2023, she made a valiant Sunday charge, finishing T10. Now, with rounds of 67-63-67, she’s tied the 54-hole tournament scoring record, matching the impressive 197 set by Yealimi Noh in 2019.
This could be another life-changing moment for the 25-year-old American, who’s not only chasing another win but also eyeing a spot on the 2024 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
“Yeah, it’s definitely one of my biggest goals. Coming into this year it was, especially after playing in Spain last year.
I want to make every Solheim Cup team from now on,” Lee shared about her aspirations. “I really want that second win, so hopefully the putts will fall tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.”
Battling Through Challenges
Playing in the final group on Saturday, Lee faced an early setback with a bogey on the first hole.
But, like a true champion, she bounced back with five birdies in the next eight holes, carding a 32 on the front nine.
This resilience saw her surpass second-round leader Dewi Weber, who struggled to maintain her lead with a mixed round of 70.
“I hit good putts with the exception of maybe one or two,” Weber commented. “For me, it was more like ‘oh, I’m doing the right things.’ It’s just not going in the hole.”
As they approached the ninth green, both were tied at -17. Lee’s long birdie putt barely made it in on its final rotation, but it was enough to put her ahead. She maintained her lead throughout the round, finishing with a steady string of pars.
“Actually when I was first looking at it, I kind of visualized it going in. I had a pretty good feeling about it when I was standing over the ball,” Lee explained.
“Hit a really good stroke and thought it was going to stay maybe just short or break a little to the right, but it ended up dropping on the very last roll.
That was pretty cool. It was a pretty big roar, too, so that was fun.”
The Competition Heats Up
Despite Lee’s consistent performance, the competition remains fierce. Dewi Weber, with her incredible chip-in birdie on the 17th, sits just one stroke behind alongside American Alexa Pano at -18.
Pano has been in excellent form, shooting rounds of 64 and 66 in the previous days. Polly Mack and Angel Yin are also hot on their heels at -17, promising a thrilling final round.
“I saw where I wanted to land it. I knew kind of how the grass was going to react because I had the chip before,” Weber described her chip-in.
“And then I stood over the ball and I was like, ‘all right, we can’t be hesitant on this… Maybe it will go too far, but that’s the way it’s got to be.’
Then I hit it, I made contact and I was like ‘oh, that’s pretty.’ Then I saw it and I was like ‘oh, that’s pretty good.’ And then obviously it went in.”
Final Round Showdown
As Championship Sunday looms, Andrea Lee is determined to capitalize on her lead.
The Portland Classic 2024 leaderboard is packed with talent, and with birdies aplenty at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, it’s anyone’s game.
Lee’s familiarity with the course and her calm under pressure will be crucial as she aims for her second career win and a spot on the Solheim Cup team.
The stage is set for a gripping final day. Will Andrea Lee once again conquer the Portland Classic, or will a new challenger emerge from the pack? Golf enthusiasts, buckle up for an exciting conclusion.
