Australian Open 2024: Min Woo Lee can spark a huge 2025 with a big showing in Melbourne – Australian Golf Digest

by Admin
November 27, 2024

[PHOTO: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images]

Overall he gives himself a B as a grade for his on-course performances this year, although Min Woo Lee’s end-of-year report card still has room for an upgrade at this Australian Open.

The 26-year-old gives the impression that his season abroad was satisfactory in his mind rather than exceptional, yet it’s a question that will need re-asking should Lee depart Melbourne cradling the Stonehaven Cup on Sunday night.

His first year as a PGA Tour member saw him clock up a pair of runner-up finishes, achieving goals that any rookie can rightfully feel proud of ticking off.

“Keeping my card, top 65 in the FedEx Cup,” Lee said of his most satisfying accomplishment. “Being in the top 50 of the world ranking is quite tough without playing in many signature events. So I think that was one of my goals.

“But looking back at it, only four or five people actually got out of the top 50 that played those events and a few people went in. So at the end of the day, it wasn’t too bad of a year. I had some good finishes but had a very consistent year, which I’m not really known for. I am trying to get to that stage. I feel like you kind of have a taste of the consistency and you’re kind of like, ‘Oh top 20, top 30 again and again.’ And normally I play really good at an event and then miss a few cuts. So we are just waiting for the really top-heavy finishes. But I think pretty good – I wouldn’t be mad about [the year].”

Lee today downplayed the knee injury that hampered his defence of his Australian PGA crown last weekend, yet the ailment was enough to limit his practice to nine holes.

“I didn’t want to aggravate it even more, but it’s hanging in there,” he said at Kingston Heath. “I played nine holes and felt pretty good for most of it. Yeah, didn’t want to take the gamble and play another nine holes.

“We’ll see. Obviously it’s a day-by-day thing, last week I didn’t even bend down, I couldn’t bend down and I didn’t want to. I think it is just scary. I haven’t been part of many injuries, but people that have actually [been] injured, I mean I feel for them because I didn’t really do anything too bad to it, but psychologically you don’t want to push it.

“It’s a very mini-injury compared to a big one. So I’m kind of new to it and… it’s been a long year, a long season so I just want to make sure I’m good for the tournament.”

A little rain early in the week in Melbourne might work in Lee’s favour. A softer pair of golf courses – at least until the Kingston Heath and Victoria layouts dry out further – should play into the West Australian’s hands. He’s demonstrated his flair and creativity on a variety of courses already in his young career, yet as he becomes more acclimatised to tour golf in America, where softer surfaces generally rule, Lee looks most at home when there’s at least a little moisture underfoot.

Of course, his next quest is to beat elder sister Minjee to the top of the podium at their national championship. Being two years older gave her the head start, however the Australian Open represents ‘little brother’s’ chance to notch a family first.

Whatever the result this week, Min Woo knows what lies ahead for 2025 more than he did 12 months ago. Now settled in Las Vegas and comfortable in his US base, he’s clearer about what to expect.

“It’s another year of I think just getting familiar with being in America and I’m in Vegas now and that’s pretty hectic – and it can be chill at the same time,” he says. “I think having a base somewhere was a big part. Golf-wise, I think it’s going in the right direction, it’s going [well]. Approach play was one of the things that I needed to get better at and it’s slowly becoming where we want it. So now I’ve just got to hole some putts.”

Starting this week.