Lee Rolls to Victory at Reignwood LPGA Classic


While third-round co-leader Stacy Lewis struggled to a 3-over 75, Mirim Lee closed with a 69 to win the Reignwood LPGA Classic. The 72-hole, $2.1 million event took place at Reignwood Pine Valley Golf Club in Beijing, China.

A rookie on the LPGA Tour, the 23-year-old Lee notched her second victory of the year. Her first came in August at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.

On Sunday, Lee finished at 15-under 277, two strokes ahead of Lewis's 54-hole co-leader Caroline Hedwall and two in front of fellow South Koreans Inbee Park (71) and Haeji Kang (69), and American Brittany Lang (72).

Lewis couldn't get anything going Sunday, posting two birdies and four bogeys. She dropped into a tie for sixth at 11-under 281 with Korean Mi Hyang Lee (67).

''I really didn't think I would get my second win this quickly,'' Lee said of her second title of the year. ''I was a lot more nervous this time than first time around.''

Paired in the last group with Lewis, Lee noted she kept her eyes on the top-ranked player in women's golf. ''Usually when I play my rounds I don't watch the other players,'' said Lee, who earned $315,000. ''Today I really observed how Stacy played, and she was such a phenomenal player. It shows why she is the No. 1 player in the world.''

Lewis was looking for her fourth title of the year which, if she could have pulled it off, would have virtually assured her of being named the LPGA Player of the Year. Instead, the 29-year-old American had another disappointing final round at Reignwood, where last year she lost by a stroke after China's Shanshan Feng eagled the 72nd hole for the victory.

Hedwall, searching for her first LPGA title, told reporters that the course was more difficult than in previous days. ''It was tougher out there today,'' the 25-year-old Swede said. ''I think most girls out there were struggling a little bit with the wind, because it's a tough golf course in the wind.''

Tied for sixth at 10-under 282 were Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (68) and Korean Ilhee Lee (72).

Feng never got untracked in defense of her title, recording rounds of 75, 71, 74 and 75 to end up tied for 49th at 3-over 295.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.