Min Woo Lee has set his sights on making it back-to-back victories on home soil as he and sister Minjee battle for the spotlight at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
The national Open brings together three separate competitions, with the men's and women's events and the Australian All Abilities Championship being contested at the same time.
Just days after claiming his third DP World Tour title at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, Australian fan favourite Min Woo arrives in Sydney for the mixed-gender event at The Australian Golf Club and The Lakes full of confidence.
"It would be nice if I have the winning throne for the end of the year because we've got a few weeks off until the new season starts," Min Woo said.
"It would be nice for both of us, I guess, to win the same week. It would be pretty crazy. We've won back-to-back weeks, but on the same week would be something else.”
Last month, two-time Major winner Minjee claimed the BMW Ladies Championship on the LPGA Tour a week after Min Woo won the Macau Open on the Asian Tour.
So, how much is sibling rivalry a motivation this week for Min Woo?
"I get a little annoyed when she wins the week after, because I got the light on me for a little bit and then four days later or like a week later, she's holding a trophy,” he added.
"[But] we're happy for each other. We want to only do well and inspire kids and keep playing good golf, so it's not that bad of a sibling rivalry, but petty... a little petty from me usually."
The Australian Open is set to be Lee’s final event of a stellar year which has included a career-best Major finish of fifth at the US Open.
Last week’s triumph at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane - his second in four starts – lifted him to a career-high 38th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
With membership on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR secured for 2024, Lee is excited by the opportunities ahead of him, including eyeing a debut Olympics appearance in Paris next summer.
“That is definitely a big [goal],” he said. “I guess it’s gotten closer since last week, the world ranking is getting better.
“The Presidents Cup was one of the big things and now the Olympics is an even bigger thing. Representing Australia would be an honour.
“My sister got to play in it a couple of times and it looked so special, so I’ll be very keen to get on that team and play for Australia.”
