Min Woo Lee is returning home hoping to complete unfinished business after committing to the Australian Open golf championship in Melbourne.
After almost securing a historic Australian double last year, Lee has confirmed he will tee up at his national championship for a fifth time when the flagship summer event returns to the co-hosting Kingston Heath and Victoria clubs.
Lee finished third last year a week after winning the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane to fall short of completing a rare and prestigious double of Australia’s biggest tournaments.
The 26-year-old Olympian said he cannot wait to get back and try to hoist the Stonehaven Cup.
“I’m so excited to be coming back home to play this year and, after last summer, I know the vibe and atmosphere at the Australian Open will be incredible,” Lee said.
Lee is now a fixture on the PGA Tour and has risen to world No.40.
In addition to making his Games debut this month, the Perth ace is poised for more representative honours as part of the Presidents Cup International team in Canada.
“It’s been a huge year playing overseas,” he said.
“And I can think of no better way to finish than coming home and contending, and hopefully winning, the Stonehaven Cup.”
For a third year in a row, the Australian Open will be a dual-gender event with the women’s tournament being staged simultaneously as well with the all-abilities championship.
Officials are also hoping to lure Lee’s dual major-winning sister Minjee back again too.
“The crowds last year in Australia were incredible and, as everyone knows, I love playing in front of big crowds,” Lee said.
“I hope as many people as possible get around the event and come and watch us play.”
Offering prize money of $3.4 million, the men’s side of the Australian Open will again be co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour, with the women’s a WPGA Tour of Australasia event.
The tournaments will be held from November 28 to December 1.
AAP