BREAKING: Minjee Lee has officially claimed the prestigious WA Sport Star award for the first time after a decade of nominations. The 29-year-old golf champion, a three-time major winner, received the award at the SportWest WA Sport Awards held on Thursday night at Crown Perth.
Lee, representing the Royal Fremantle Golf Club, triumphed over a competitive field of finalists, including Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Kurtis Marschall. “It feels pretty amazing,” she expressed via video from Singapore, where she is competing in the HSBC Women’s World Championship. “I’ve been really close to winning this award so many times, so it’s really special.”
This significant win marks the seventh time in the last decade that a female athlete has earned this top honor. Previous winners include Olympic gold medalist Nina Kennedy and Matildas star Sam Kerr, highlighting a growing recognition of women in sports. “Maybe we’re just tough,” Lee remarked about female athletes, emphasizing their determination and work ethic.
Lee’s impressive journey includes securing her third major championship at the Women’s PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas, last year, adding to her impressive accolades from the 2021 Evian Championship and the 2022 US Open. Under the guidance of Ritchie Smith, a finalist for Coach of the Year, she overcame significant challenges, including a bout with the putting yips, to finish 2025 ranked world number three.
In addition to her accolades, Lee was honored with the Greg Norman Medal for being the best Australian pro golfer, male or female, and received the Herb Elliott Medal at the WA Hall of Champions awards.
The ceremony also recognized other outstanding athletes, including Mia Kretzer, who became the youngest-ever X Games gold medalist and was named Junior Sports Star. The Perth Thundersticks women’s hockey team won Team of the Year, and Ritchie Smith was celebrated as RSM Australia Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
SportWest CEO Troy Kirkham emphasized the importance of the awards, stating, “We had 265 nominations this year, and all of them, along with our finalists and winners, should be celebrated for their achievements and contributions.”
As women’s sports continue to gain visibility and support, Lee’s historic win serves as an inspiration for current and future generations of athletes. The momentum in women’s sports is palpable, and with each award, the narrative of female empowerment in athletics strengthens.
Stay tuned for more updates as Minjee Lee continues her journey in the HSBC Women’s World Championship and beyond.
