‘No backing away’: trio seek end of Aussie Open drought

Steve Larkin |

Minjee Lee’s sights are set on being the first local in a dozen years to win the Australian Open.
Minjee Lee’s sights are set on being the first local in a dozen years to win the Australian Open.

Grace Kim says there’s no backing away from it.

Minjee Lee and Hannah Green are trying not to dwell on it.

But the trio of major winners admit they’d all covet it: becoming the first local golfer to salute at the Women’s Australian Open in a dozen years.

Lee, Kim and Green are among 31 Australians who tee off on Thursday at Adelaide’s Kooyonga Golf Club with hopes of being the first local since Karrie Webb in 2014 to triumph at their national open.

Five-time winner Webb (2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2014) is among only three Australians to hold the open trophy – the others are Jane Crafter (1997) and Jan Stephenson (1977).

“Everyone knows that the Aussies haven’t won in quite some time … (there’s) definitely no backing away from that, for sure,” Kim said.

Kim won the Evian Championship last year, one of five majors on the elite women’s Tour.

Lee last year won her third major, the Women’s PGA Championship – compatriot Green collected that major title in 2019.

Grace Kim.
Grace Kim says there’s no hiding from the recent lack of local success at the Australian Open. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

But all admit a title at this week’s $1.7 million Women’s Australian Open title would rank as high as their major feats.

“We are competitors but we are also each other’s biggest supporters as well,” said Lee, the world No.4.

“I definitely think we put a little bit of extra pressure on ourselves when we are playing in front of a home crowd … and we don’t get too many opportunities to play in Australia.

“I really would like to get my name on that trophy … so hopefully I can have a good week and, come Sunday, be contending.”

Karrie Webb.
Australian legend Karrie Webb kisses the Australian Open trophy after her win in 2014. (David Crosling/AAP PHOTOS)

Green a fortnight ago was victorious at the Women’s World Championship in Singapore, which she said was a blessing but perhaps also a burden in Adelaide.

“All of us Aussies want our name on that trophy really badly,” the world No.9 said.

“But also coming in with some form probably put some more pressure on myself for the actual tournament.

“It’s probably the week that we put the most pressure on ourselves because it is something that we want so badly … and I’m sure the other girls don’t want to think about that too much.”

AAP