[PHOTO: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images]
If there are two players in the field at this week’s ISPS Handa Australian Open emblematic of the inaugural mixed-field concept, it’s the Lee siblings – US Women’s Open champion Minjee and globetrotting excitement machine Min Woo.
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On the golf course, they’re a study in opposites. She is relentless in her ball-striking prowess, just seeking a slightly improved putting game in order to truly dominate the women’s game. He is the flamboyant showman, just seeking a dose of his sister’s consistency as he forges a path on multiple tours. Off the course, they author a healthy banter that many Australian siblings can relate to – except that they’re both elite performers in what is a notoriously fickle sport.
This week, in a rare opportunity to compete together, the Lees will be followed by a legion of family members, eager to watch the pair contend deep into the championship. Yet they also are savouring the rare chance to bounce off each other.
“Playing with Min Woo and being able to see him is really special to me,” Minjee said. “Just being back in Australia I think is really cool. I haven’t played in a couple of years back home.”
“Same thing,” Min Woo chimed in. “Just to see the fam I think is a special thing. We don’t get to see each other that much, so just to ‘put the band together’, it’s pretty cool. We don’t get to do that, that often, so it is very cool. Then we can spend Christmas together, so I think with the schedule and all that, it works really well. It brings everyone together, which is awesome, and what we want and what we need.”
Despite the obvious opportunity for one, there will be no sibling side wager on their respective results this week.
“No, not really,” Min Woo confirmed. “I’m in hot form, so hopefully I can pip her this week, but it would be nice to both be holding the trophy, which would be really cool. But no, I think our mindset going in is just to enjoy and have fun. The Australian crowd hasn’t had a tournament here in a while and I think we want to put on a show and let them enjoy it.”
The potential for one-on-one contests aside, both players represent serious threats this week. Minjee is still making a push for the world No.1 ranking (just re-taken by Lydia Ko) after a slight dip in form since her US Women’s Open triumph. Min Woo, meanwhile, hasn’t finished worse than 12th in his past five starts, including a share of fourth place last week at the Australian PGA.
Despite hailing from Perth, they are intimately familiar with Sandbelt golf from their amateur days. The Lees joined Adam Scott and rookie pro Hayden Hopewell for a practice round, after which the pair was asked if Scott had given them any tips for handling the two courses.
“We’ve probably played more than him on the Sandbelt,” Minjee quipped, before adding that the stature of the tournament is what’s driving her at the end of a tiring year.
“For me, I always want to do well. The previous Aussie Opens that I have played, I think I haven’t quite shown that as much, so hopefully I can settle the nerves and just enjoy it and just play well for me and play well for the Australian crowd.”
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Her brother sees the same golden opportunity.
“For both of us we’ve had very good years, so to look back and just give this one a hot crack,” Min Woo said. “It doesn’t really matter how it goes, we’re obviously really happy with the way everything’s gone this year and we’re looking for a rest, but this is obviously a really big event in the schedule and we want to do well in our home event. We’re looking forward to it.”
