Three-time Major champion Minjee Lee has won the WA Sport Star award for the first time in her illustrious career.
The 29-year-old Royal Fremantle Golf Club product took out the top prize at SportWest’s WA Sport Awards on Thursday night at Crown Perth.
It marked Lee’s 10th time as a finalist in the award, having first been nominated in 2014. She beat a 12-strong shortlist of finalists, headed by pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall and West Coast Fever star Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, to land the coveted gong.
“It feels pretty amazing,” Lee said via a pre-recorded video. “I’ve been really close to winning this award so many times, so it’s really special.”
Lee’s win marks the seventh time in the past decade a woman has claimed WA Sport’s leading individual accolade.
She follows in the footsteps of pole vaulter Nina Kennedy (2025); footballer Sam Kerr (2017, 18, 23); Paralympian Madison de Rozario (2021); and fellow golfer Hannah Green (2019).
Speaking on the subject of WA women’s dominance in the award, Lee added: “Everybody’s got such a great work ethic and we know what it takes to be the best.
“Women’s sport in general is being embraced and we feel more empowered to be the best we can be. We just have great determination and, you know, women are the best and we can do anything. We’re just strong.”
Lee claimed her third major championship, the Women’s PGA Championship in Texas, last year, to go with her 2021 Evian Championship and 2022 US Open wins. She finished the year placed third in the world rankings.
Lee’s coach Ritchie Smith was also a winner on the night, claiming the RSM Australia Coach of the Year Award for the second year running and third time overall in his career.
Smith also has Min Woo Lee, Hannah Green and Ryan Peake amongst his stable of athletes.
WA state golfer Spencer Harrison (Royal Perth) was also in the running for the Junior Sports Star of the Year, with the award ultimately going to skateboarding prodigy Mia Kretzer.
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