Basing himself in ‘Sin City’ is a gamble worth taking for Australia’s newest PGA Tour star, Min Woo Lee
Greetings from Las Vegas! I’ve settled into the Nevada life, where I’ll be based for my PGA Tour career. I was so excited to move to Vegas. It was a long time coming and the time was right after I got my PGA Tour card at the end of last year.
▶ ▶ ▶
Vegas has been unbelievable so far. I’ve been to The Strip a couple of times for dinners and shows. Each time I head into town, I can’t help but have a massive smile on my face because it’s very cool and different to Australia. It’s an out-of-this-world experience, I guess, because all the flashing lights, casinos and costumes are not something Aussies are used to. It’s awesome. It’s also cool to live close enough to The Strip if I want to go, but also to live about 25 minutes away and be far enough from all the traffic and hustle and bustle. Everyone says Vegas is just all about gambling and partying, and it can be, but I’ve done none of that. I just love the food and walking around. Vegas is for everyone in that way.
▶ ▶ ▶
I’m practising at The Summit Club, where the PGA Tour had the CJ Cup in 2021. I’m playing regularly with my good mates, Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama. It’s unbelievable learning from a two-time major winner like Collin, and also Kurt, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year.
▶ ▶ ▶
It’s funny, Collin and Kurt were playing the Genesis Invitational at Riviera recently when I was writing this, and I was just by myself at The Summit Club all week. Having just joined the PGA Tour, I hadn’t finished high enough last season to get into the signature events, so I was at home in Vegas. It was funny, but now that they’re back we’ve been playing nine holes and some good matches to stay competitive. We also have some really good sessions on the range, putting green and chipping areas.
▶ ▶ ▶
So far on the PGA Tour this year, I’ve finished T-21 at the American Express in the California desert, T-43 at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and T-71 at the WM Phoenix Open. Coming off a win at the Australian PGA Championship in December, and a third at the Australian Open, I wasn’t quite happy with the three results on the PGA Tour. But also, those three events were at courses I’ve never been to, so there were a few shots I would have lost, not knowing the courses.
▶ ▶ ▶
You’ve probably seen me in lululemon apparel after they recently announced me as their first professional golf ambassador. My manager, Brent, and I already had a relationship with the great people at lululemon, and when my previous clothing deal ended last year, we decided to go with lululemon. It’s a perfect fit for me. It’s different and not only do I love their golf clothes, I love the clothes they have away from golf, too. Anything I’ve done with them, like photoshoots, they’ve treated me really well. It’s a massive global brand and that was one of the reasons I chose lululemon. I wanted to be the face of th eir golf business as they got into our sport. It’s an opportunity for both of us to grow as a company and as a person.
▶ ▶ ▶
You’re probably wondering, What have they got in store for me at the Masters? Well, I’m excited to say we have something cooking. We’ve got a couple of outfits which are cool and different to the colours I normally wear, but don’t worry, nothing too crazy.
▶ ▶ ▶
I’m seriously excited to get back to Augusta National. I’m hoping I can catch some form beforehand. I can’t wait to go there and might even fly up for a scouting mission of the course after the Valspar or the Players. I’d like to see the changes to the par-5 second hole, which should suit me. They’ve moved the Masters tee back 10 metres and to the left. You have to hit a long draw now, which I can do. Hopefully I can play well after I had a T-14 in 2022 on my debut.
▶ ▶ ▶
The Masters is a very special tournament. You’re treated so well. It’s just different to every other tournament. It’s traditional and old-school. Not many people are allowed in the locker room, and you’re not allowed on your phone on the course, which makes the fans more engaged. It has a really professional and prestigious feel about it.
▶ ▶ ▶
Sharing the front-nine record at the Masters is pretty special, too. I shot 30, six-under, on the front side during the final round in 2022. I joined Johnny Miller [third round, 1975], Greg Norman [final round, 1988], K.J. Choi [second round, 2004], Phil Mickelson [final round, 2009], Gary Woodland [third round, 2014] and Tony Finau [third round, 2019].
▶ ▶ ▶
After finishing T-5 at the US Open last year, my first top five in a major, and a T-6 at TPC Sawgrass, I realised I really love big tournaments like the Players and the majors. When there’s not much on the line, I just don’t lock in as much. I just go into a different gear when I’m at the big tournaments. Hopefully, I can set some more records. Let him cook!
