KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

September 10, 2025

Minjee Lee

TPC River's Bend

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, pleased to be joined 2023 Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G winner Minjee Lee. Minjee, obviously won this event in '23 here at TPC River's Bend. When you think back on that win, what do you remember most?

MINJEE LEE: Actually I won at Kenwood. Yeah, so it was a little bit like different when I came back last year because we were at a different golf course.

So I played to last year as well. So, yeah, I quite like -- quite enjoy this golf course as well. You know, I like looking at the trees and just the layout. It's very green and sunny out, so it's nice.

Q. What is it about this event? It's a very stacked field. What is it about this field that attracts you and the other bigger names on our Tour?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, I think it's just in a good time of the season, you know, coming off a couple weeks after Europe and then maybe a couple of the girls took a couple weeks off before this event.

So I think it's just a nice stop. Weather is pretty nice and where I'm living at the moment it's really hot still, so it's nice to have a little bit of a break in the weather.

Q. And then this is one of the first times we've seen you since the end of major season; first repeat winner of the RAMA Award. How honored are you to be that representative now?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, it's pretty special to me. At the beginning of the year the majors were a really big goal of mine. I wanted to -- obviously you want to contend and have good results in the majors, so it's just I guess the result of all the hard work and all the things that I've been doing up until this point.

Q. Was there anything different you did this season to help you finish as well as you have at all the majors?

MINJEE LEE: Not in particular. Obviously I've had a few equipment changes, the putter. Nothing super new though.

I've been using the same irons and driver and -- not in particular. I everything kind of just coming together piece by piece and having a bit more confidence with the putter. And having those weeks where you feel like you're doing a good job and you can keep building on the momentum was key for me this season.

Q. It seems like you've been a factor just week in and week out since you won at KPMG. How would you assess your game at this point in your career, and how does it compare to some of the other high points you've had?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, I think my -- like my long game and just my driving and things. I've wanted to -- that has always been pretty solid I think over the last few years, so I think it was more just getting the putter and just working and getting a bit more confidence in that area.

Short game I'm constantly working on something and trying to get better in that area, too. I think I'm able to rely a little more on my long game and irons. So I think I was able to put a bit more importance and more of my time into my short game and putting, so I think that's kind of let me be a bit more free in the things that I am able to work on.

So I think just a mix of everything. Obviously golf is so unpredictable, so I'm always trying to get everything in a good place where I can perform week in and week out so consistently.

Q. You mentioned the majors being a big goal for you. With the majors now behind us, what are your goals over the closing stretch of the season?

MINJEE LEE: Obviously I would love to win CME. That's a big one.

Obviously I would love to be able to win in Asia. Asia, I always love playing those events. A lot of my family come to watch. Korea is a big one for me, too, the BMW Championship. Yeah, I feel like I have a good stretch of events coming up, and obviously a big goal but CME would be the ultimate one.

Q. Why is that the one you want to win the most?

MINJEE LEE: I think because it's our season closer. Like not that it is -- I mean, obviously it is a fantastic event and our purse is really high for that one.

I think if you're doing really well heading into CME, and obviously top 60 make it, so I think it's just nice to be able to get into that event and post a good score and result.

Q. I'll ask the obligatory Cincinnati reporter question. Have you got to experience anything in your years coming here outside of golf in this area that you enjoyed?

MINJEE LEE: Not in particular.

Q. Never had Skyline Chili?

MINJEE LEE: No. I don't really like chili, so I haven't had much chili in America in general.

Q. We'll give you a pass.

MINJEE LEE: Yeah.

Q. Congratulations on your season so far. Having won this event at Kenwood before and now facing a fresh set up at TPC River's Bend, what difference do you notice in the courses and how does this course fit your game?

MINJEE LEE: Yeah, so Kenwood and TPC are like totally different layouts, so I would say -- I mean, I can't really compare each style to another, but I think the surface is the same. Like the same grass type, in the rough, on the greens.

So in that sense it's similar. The weather was always good so that's good. I think at the TPC it's a little more maybe tricky around the greens. Bit more undulation. There are certain spots that you want to be just because there is maybe a little bigger ridges here and there.

And I think the rough is maybe a little bit higher this year than last year. And it's not rolling as firm and fast and obviously not as hot, so the surface is -- the golf course is playing a little bit longer than last year, so I think it will be a good challenge this year in terms of just to playing a little longer and having to be a bit more accurate with your second shots.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you for your time, Minjee.

MINJEE LEE: Thank you.