Minjee Lee has had a fantastic season on the LPGA Tour.
The 26-year old Perth woman, Australia, added two titles to her portfolio, the U.S. Women’s Open presented ProMedica and Cognizant Founders Cup. She also had four other top-10 finishes. Two-time major winner was also awarded the Rolex Annika Major Award, which is presented annually to the LPGA Tour player who has the highest cumulative finish in all five majors. She wasn’t finished. Lee, who is currently the fifth-ranked player worldwide, won the Aon Risk Reward Challenge. This competition highlights the most influential decision-makers on Tour and is now in its sixth year. Lee was joined by Scottie Scheffler, who won the $1 million prize and the Aon trophy.
It took grit, strategic planning, impressive execution, and savvy decision-making to win the Aon Risk Reward Challenge.
Lee was the leader of the $1 million race for most of the summer, fall. Atthaya Thitikul was the No.1 golfer in the world. Xiyu Lin (the 19th-ranked golfer) gained ground late in season which created the climactic three way duel at the season’s final two regular season tournaments.
Quick refresher: The Challenge will feature one hole from each Tour event. For the entire year, the best two scores of the players on each hole count towards the competition. The winner-takes-all prize goes to the player who has the lowest cumulative score below par during the entire season.
Aon, a global leader in professional services, launched the Aon Risk Reward Challenge along with the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, and the Aon Risk Reward Challenge in 2019. Each year, the company gives the same $1 million prize money to both Tour winners.
Seta Golf Course hosted the TOTO Japan Classic, the penultimate LPGA Tour tournament. The hole in the Aon Risk Reward challenge, no. The par-5 hole, No. 13, measures 476 yards. Two bunkers line the fairway’s right side, while half-dozen other players protect the green in front. Players and their caddies will need to decide whether they want to hit the green in two or three. A putt for an eagle is a putt in two, but if you miss the green it could lead to a long-bunker shot. Laying up to a particular yardage may be a better option, as it allows for the possibility of a short-iron approach that could lead to a realistic birdie chance. Aon assists clients every day in navigating complexity and making better decisions.
Lee made a uncharacteristic birdie on No. 1 in Round 1. 13 and Thitikul, a 19-year-old Thai phenom, made birdie. Lin did not participate in the event. She would have her chance next week.
Both Lee and Thitikul birdied No. 13 in Round 2. Lee decided to hit driver into the fairway and went for the green in two. This strategy was something she used throughout the year. With a success rate 44%, she actually went for the green 57% times on Aon Risk Reward Challenge par-5s. The high success rate could be explained by the following: Amazingly, she hit 84% of the fairways at Challenge holes. The 5-wood shot into green was 25 feet away from the pin this time. Lee was able secure the two-putt birdie to regain his foothold on the championship.
In Round 3, Lee birdied with a great up-and-down at 40 yards, while Thitikul scored a par. It was now time to set the stage. Thitikul required an eagle to win No. To tie Lee for first place, Thitikul needed an eagle on No. 13. Minjee started the round on the back nine and took No. 13. Atthaya won birdie after a few hours, while the Aon Risk Reward Challenge was still in play. Both players had a week of scores of -2, which was two birdies.
Lee defeated the closest challenger in dramatic fashion.
Lee’s caddie, at the start of the [TOTO Japanese Classic] week, asked if she wanted the various scenarios for winning. She chuckled and said, “I didn’t want to know.” “But I was tagged on Twitter about the scenarios, so I knew the possible outcomes. I would do my best, but it was not an option. This is my mentality.
The final regular-season event in the regular season, the Pelican Ladies’ Championship in Belleair, Florida, was not played by either golfer. Xiyu Lin would be the 2022 Aon Rewards Reward Challenge Champion. To win the title, she needed to score two eagles at the Challenge hole. It was a difficult task, but it is possible.
The par-5, 529 yard 14th hole at Pelican Golf Club was the center of attention. The Challenge hole features fairway bunkers that reduce the landing area from the tee and bunkers just short of the green. There is also one bunker directly in front. Lin was steadfast in her decisions and followed her plan, but she could only manage two pars.
Minjee Lee was also an Aon ambassador and had won the most-contested Aon Risk Reward Challenge. Hannah Green, a fellow Perth native, was the champion in 2021. It’s amazing what Aon is doing [same prize to the PGA TOUR winners and LPGA Tour winners]. We don’t have many opportunities to play for the same amount of money. Lee stated that this closes the gap and can make a huge difference in your life.
Jennifer Bell, Chief Executive Officer North America at Aon gets the last word. “Our commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion is underpinned by the equal support of both the PGA Tours and LPGA Tours. This is what we are all about. Bell said that Minjee was a great addition to Scottie Scheffler’s Aon Risk Reward Challenge Champions on the LPGA Tour. “Minjee displayed the clarity and confidence to make better decisions when it matters most. We were thrilled to award Minjee the Aon trophy, $1 million prize and the Aon trophy.
Find out more about the Aon Risk Reward Challenge .
