Australia's Minjee Lee pocketed the biggest payout in women's golf, a handsome USD1.8 million, thanks to her emphatic victory in the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday.

The 26-year-old closed with an even-par 71 at Pine Needles to finish on 13-under-par 271, four strokes ahead of runner-up Mina Harigae of the United States.

"I can't believe it right now. It's just super, super special and just a great honour. It's been my dream since I was a little girl. It's the one that I always wanted to win on. Now I've done it, and it just feels amazing," said Lee, who missed out on the tournament scoring record of 16-under-par set by Juli Inkster in 1999.

Lee's winnings came from a record USD10 million total purse. "We're only moving in the right direction. I think it's only going to get better and better from here. It's such a large sum, and I'm really honored to be the first winner I guess of this sum. We're only going to get better and better," she said.

Lee is the sixth straight international player to win the U.S. Women's Open and the first from Australia since mentor Karrie Webb in 2001. It was her second Major win after the Evian Championship last July.

Harigae closed with a 72 for her best finish in a Major and pocksted just over USD1 million. "I'm not going to lie, my stomach hurt the last couple holes coming down the stretch! I was really stressed out, but I was really just focusing on one shot at a time, making solid contact, and just hitting good putts," said the 32-year-old. 

South Korea's Hye-Jin Choi was one of only two players to break par in the last round, shooting 70 to finish third on seven-under-par. Her compatriot Jin Young Ko, the World No 1, finished fourth on six-under-par after a final round 71, one ahead of New Zealand's Lydia Ko who closed with 72.

Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad was the low amateur in T11 spot on one-under-par after a 76.