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AAP
AAP
Steve Larkin

'A good problem': Minjee embraces Aussie Open pressure

Minjee Lee has set her sights on ending a long drought of local champions at the Australian Open. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

Minjee Lee is already feeling added pressure to break the host nation's long-standing drought of women's Australian Open champions.

But the three-time major winner believes she's perfectly placed to "have a good crack" at becoming Australia's first winner of the national Open since Karrie Webb's triumph a dozen years ago.

Lee, a confirmed starter for the open at Kooyonga in Adelaide from March 12-15, hopes to follow five-time winner Webb, Jane Crafter (1997) and Jan Stephenson (1977) as local champions.

"I always feel a little extra pressure and also I think I put a little more pressure on myself to have a good result, it just comes with it being our national Open," Lee told reporters on Tuesday.

"I will always have that ... but for the most part it's hard to really control those nerves or control the amount of people who come out and support you.

"You do feel a little more pressure with a lot more eyes on you.

"Every Aussie Open, I feel like I experience a little bit of that.

"It''s obviously a good problem to have and I love that everybody comes out and supports all the Aussies.

"It's an event I would love to win in my career and hopefully I can have a good crack at it this year."

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

The 29-year-old will tee off at Kooyanga after a stunning 2025 on global circuits, highlighted by capturing the US PGA championship.

That major triumph followed victories at the 2022 US Open and the Evian Championship a year prior.

This year, she'll complete a career major grand slam if she salutes at the British Open and Chevron Championships - she has finished third in the past at both those majors.

"My goals usually do revolve the majors," the world No.3 said.

"I try and build my schedule where I think I can peak in the majors but obviously they are big goals of mine, they are always in the back of my mind.

"I have had time to rest and reflect (on 2025) ... backing up a good year is always difficult.

"But it's mostly about perspective, where you put your focus ... it's more process based than results based now and I think that will help me get to the results.

"Right now I'm just focused on getting everything technically sound and getting back to playing form."

Lee's fellow Australian Grace Kim, who won her first major last year at the Evian Championship, is also among confirmed starters for the Open at Kooyonga.

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