Minjee Lee won her third major championship on Sunday at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, held for the first time at Fields Ranch East in Frisco. Her four-round total of 284, four under par, gave her a three-shot victory over Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen.
This year’s championship was the first women’s major played at PGA of America’s new headquarters in Texas. The event marked a major milestone not only for the winner but also for women’s golf. With a record $12 million purse and a new world-class venue, the tournament was seen as a statement of how far the women’s game has come.
BetZillion experts highlighted Lee’s resilience and past major pedigree as key factors for punters considering outright markets ahead of the event.
“It feels pretty awesome,” Lee said after her win. “Every day was a grind and I really had to dig deep to do it. I’m mentally fried. I need a week off.”
Lee’s victory earned her $1.8 million, the largest winner’s share in the event’s history. The total purse tied the U.S. Women’s Open for the most money ever awarded at a women’s major. Even players who missed the cut received $4,000.
For those browsing all new betting sites covering golf markets, Lee’s odds movement was one of the most notable throughout the tournament.
“I think I had a lot of doubt the past few years,” Lee said. “This one just means a little bit more to me.”
Battling the Texas Heat and Wind
Lee had entered the final round with a four-shot lead after strong play on Thursday and Saturday. Despite a tough start on Sunday and difficult conditions, she held off a determined chase from Kim and Wannasaen.
The course at Fields Ranch East tested every part of the players’ games. Designed by Gil Hanse and opened in 2023, it featured wide fairways, large greens, and plenty of trouble in the form of deep bunkers and swirling winds.
“It’s so brutal out here,” said Nelly Korda, the world No. 1. “The setup of the course, wind conditions, everything.”
Lee’s win added to a resume that already included victories at the 2021 Evian Championship and the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. But this one carried extra meaning. After struggling with confidence and consistency over the past two seasons, she credited a switch to a longer broomstick putter and renewed focus on her mental game.
“I feel like I had a lot of doubt,” she said. “The more I heard people talk about my putting, I think it got to me more and more over time.”
The victory was also a celebration of the PGA of America’s investment in growing the women’s game. The organization relocated its headquarters from Florida to Texas in 2023. The Frisco site includes two championship golf courses, a major practice facility, a resort, and a new media center. It will host multiple PGA and LPGA events over the next decade.
“Bringing the best women players in the world to Fields Ranch East reinforces our commitment to staging this championship at world-class golf courses in major markets,” said PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague.
Many PGA Championship bookmakers had adjusted markets in real-time as Lee held her lead, with her odds shortening significantly on the final day.
Paul Knopp, chair of KPMG U.S., highlighted the financial and media impact of the tournament.
“The high purse and expanded TV coverage are just some of the ways we are setting the standard,” Knopp said. “We are proud to help elevate this championship.”
The broadcast reach was wide, with coverage on NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock in the U.S., and international distribution through Sky Sports and Fox Sports Australia. On-site fans enjoyed upgraded viewing areas, fan zones, and climate-controlled hospitality suites.
In addition to Lee, several young stars made their mark. Auston Kim, playing in her first major contention, tied for second at one under par. Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen also impressed, matching Kim’s total for a share of the runner-up spot. Jeeno Thitikul, another rising star, was close throughout and finished in the top five.
As the LPGA Tour moves on to its next major, the Evian Championship in France, the memory of Frisco’s debut will linger.
This was more than just a golf tournament. It was a message. The women’s game belongs on the biggest stages, with the biggest prizes, and with the respect it has long deserved.
Minjee Lee took the trophy, but PGA Frisco also emerged as a winner. The future of women’s golf has found a new home.
