Among the many whirlwind response to his breakthrough PGA Tour victory, Min Woo Lee’s focus for the lead as much as The Masters is easy: be extra cautious within the fitness center and cease being so type to spectators.
FOX SPORTS, obtainable on Kayo Sports activities, is the one place to look at the 2025 Masters LIVE | New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time provide.
Lee held off world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and 2019 US Open champion Gary Woodland by one shot to win the Houston Open on Monday morning Australian time, so his sport is in good order and he’ll return to Augusta Nationwide subsequent weekend buoyed by the reminiscences of previous success on the iconic course.
The 26-year-old matched the file for the very best ever entrance 9 with a surprising six-under par 30 on Sunday on his strategy to a high 15 end in his debut look in 2022.
Final 12 months he managed to return tied twenty second regardless of battling a damaged finger sustained within the lead-up in addition to coping with sickness all week after watching his two-time main profitable sister Minjee on the LPGA the week prior.
He says he has realized his lesson.
“To start with, clearly to not drop a dumbbell in your finger. I believe that’s precedence one,” Lee stated with fun.
“I’ll most likely be a bit protected once I’m within the fitness center this week.
“I watched my sister final 12 months, and it was a really chilly day and I gave my jumper to a little bit lady who had no jumper. I believe I did the proper factor however I additionally bought sick from that.
“Possibly not give my jumper (this time),” he added with a chuckle.
“However I attempt to be good and I did the proper factor.”
Lee relieved after maiden PGA title win | 04:18
Lee’s emergence has been all about implementing what he has realized from previous errors.
He stated that former world No.1 and fellow Australian Jason Day has been a key sounding board, and after his win in Houston opened up on how he bounced again from a number of disappointments at The Gamers Championship.
In 2023, he performed alongside Scheffler within the remaining group however fell away badly, and final month he was a co-leader on the midway mark of the match earlier than limping to the top throughout the weekend.
Lee spoke of feeling like he was making an attempt to be somebody he’s not, and stated “one thing clicked in my head” after TPC Sawgrass.
Staying true to himself has been a key mantra of the weeks since, which led to his ascent to Australia’s high ranked male golfer within the Official World Golf Rankings at twenty second on the planet.
All of the whereas, he has grown his standing as a social media star on Instagram and TikTok.
‘Let him cook dinner’ Lee pumped over proud win | 02:10
Celebrities and fellow sporting stars have come alongside for the trip.
He had a FaceTime name with Justin Bieber after his victory, revealing to Australian media on Wednesday that the pair have struck up a friendship over social media golf content material.
A lot in order that they textual content and name repeatedly wherever they’re within the globe, and the Canadian pop star sends Lee clips of his very hockey-looking golf swing to analyse.
“Yeah, you may say I’m his coach,” Lee stated with fun.
Fellow Australians taking the US by storm, Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels have been additionally among the many mates to explode his telephone with messages of congratulations.
The Boomers stars weren’t the one NBA massive names to share their love for the West Australian, with four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, who’s an proprietor of Lee’s TGL group The Bay, posting concerning the win.
His social media presence might function a significant distraction, however Lee insists it serves him effectively.
Min Woo has enjoyable with aimpoint | 00:31
A content material group seize footage of him and make the eye-catching edits of his unbelievable abilities and humorous character, and being within the highlight continually gave him the motivation to enhance his outcomes.
“There’s lots of people that win one match, and are an amazing golfer, however not many individuals keep in mind them,” Lee stated.
“I attempt to make it a little bit bit higher of a spot on the planet from posting humorous issues or cool issues, and should you can play good golf on high of that, it’s the very best of each worlds.
“Not over doing it clearly. You’ve bought to again it up and that’s why individuals don’t do it. There’s a number of all speak and no present.
“I felt like I sort of bought to that stage the place there was a number of speak and I wasn’t enjoying pretty much as good a golf as I can.
“I wanted not a actuality examine, however a kick within the butt to win or get a very good end.”
It at all times robust to again up after an enormous victory, however the week off earlier than the Masters will likely be important.
In current days, Lee has been unwinding together with his girlfriend Gracie, his group and Minjee in his US base of Las Vegas.
They hit the Strip for dinner on Monday evening and he picked up the invoice after pocketing $2.7 million the day earlier than, however he joked that “my sister might have been good and she or he might have gotten it, but it surely’s all good”.
Min Woo thrills to say first PGA title | 03:38
Recharging the batteries goes to be essential within the coming days as Lee described the final week as “mentally draining”, but it surely make him chock filled with confidence heading into the primary main of the 12 months.
“I really like the course. I really like enjoying there. I really like being again there. It’s my favorite course,” Lee stated of Augusta Nationwide.
“Final 12 months, respectable outcome however I had a damaged finger and was sick, actually dangerous, from Monday to Wednesday. So to complete high 25 was fairly good.
“I have to put 4 good rounds collectively. It’s going to be robust.
“Augusta is a course the place random stuff can occur and large scores can occur.
“However whenever you really feel good, you may rating effectively too.
“Hopefully placing 4 rounds collectively and studying from final week helps.”