Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, will challenge the LPGA Tour’s best with their short irons and wedges with four diabolical par 3s at this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
But don’t be surprised if Minjee Lee leans on her solid iron game to play them well – and perhaps lead her to another Major Championship victory this season.
Lee, who won the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open just a few weeks ago, is tops on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach, averaging more than 2.8 strokes over the competition according to KPMG Performance Insights.
In Gee Chun is second on Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green, but is nearly a full stroke behind Lee’s dominating total.
Others who have stood out so far in 2022 with their tight approach game via KPMG Performance Insights include Celine Boutier and Austin Ernst.
The par 3s at Congressional begin on the second hole, and it’s a doozy – set to be the longest par 3 on the course during Championship week. The green is receptive – a high-up approach or a bumping runner will reach the putting surface – but the length will be a big challenge.
Visually intimidating, the 2nd hole at Congressional is a long par 3 that will certainly capture the player's attention!
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 18, 2022
Only 2 days until the action starts at the #KPMGWomensPGA! pic.twitter.com/MEC4YZKT8y
The other par 3s at Congressional include the potentially blind approach to No.7, the short No.10, and the two-level green on No. 13.
The par-3 10th at Congressional will be one of the most exciting holes of the week. The green was shifted closer to the pond, while the hole will take full advantage of stadium-like seating near the clubhouse. There’s also 40 feet of drop from tee to green.
It remains to be seen who the champion will be at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, but with four very different par 3s at Congressional – and thanks to KPMG Performance Insights – it’s easy to see who may be able to lean on their iron play to score well on the short holes at this year’s Championship.
