The prospect of winning an elusive national championship is driving Minjee Lee after the golf ace added even more star power to this year’s historic Australian Open in Melbourne.
A grueling season highlighted by a second career major in 13 months has taken a mental and physical toll on Lee, who uncharacteristically missed the cut in her past three events.
But the world No.3 and LPGA player-of-the-year contender is making one last push after committing to the first-ever mixed-gender Australian Open alongside younger brother Min Woo at the Kingston Health and Victoria Golf Clubs from December 1- 4.
Lee only announced her participation this week, months after fellow Australian greats Karrie Webb and Hannah Green decided to tee up in the women’s field.
After a brief break back home in Perth, the US Open champion will resume her battle for the top ranking with world No.1 Jin Young Ko at next week’s BMW Ladies Championship in Korea and figured why not play the Australian Open while on this side of the world.
“I thought I’ll be coming this way anyway so it will maybe cap off the year at the Aussie Open,” Lee said.
“So that’s pretty much what it came down to. Even though it’s been a long year, it will be fun.”
After leading through three rounds on debut as a 14-year-old and finishing 11th, Lee’s best result at the Australian Open is a tie for third at Royal Adelaide in 2017.
The world No.1 ranking and a national championship are the two big goals still to elude Lee and she admits her sibling rivalry with Min Woo will be an added driver.
“Once he wins a US Open, he can take bragging rights,” she said, only half-joking.
A dual winner on the DP World Tour, 24-year-old Min Woo is also looking to “feed off” his sister when Melbourne’s sand belt hosts the world’s first-ever national open.
“She’s got more to lose, I guess,” he said.
“It will be fun. I’m still trying to take back the throne. I feel a good end of year coming so I’m going to try my best.
“If I could be anywhere on Minjee’s level of success, I’d be really happy. She’s obviously done really well over the last 10 years.”
Certain to draw big galleries, the appearance of golf’s No.1 brother-sister act is also a coup for broadcasters after Golf Australia on Thursday announced a landmark broadcast deal.
Fans will have access to some 17 Australasian tournaments on various channels between October and April.
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