He knows it. Other pros know it. And anybody who watches him play, even if they don’t know much about the game, would know it, too.
Min Woo Lee is not only good, he’s good enough. Good enough to win at the top level of the professional game and good enough to grab a maiden professional title at this week’s AVJennings NSW Open.
He’s been professional less than a year, but the 21-year-old is keen to make his presence felt in the game.
“Really important,” he says when asked what a first victory would mean.
“And it isn’t easy to win, not any week, including this week.
This tournament might not be as high profile as some others, but there are plenty of really good players here this week.
“If you’re going to win you’re going to need to play really, really well.”
The Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club is playing firm and fast for the tournament, and Lee says that means there will be some low scores on offer.
“There are a lot of holes where you can get quite close to the green so there will be a lot of wedges and short irons,” he says.
“And the greens are absolutely perfect which means if you can hit it close you are going to make a lot of putts.
“I think it will be a low scoring week with the way conditions are so hopefully I can be there at the end.”
Lee, who finished T6 at this venue when still an amateur in 2017, said the key to the week would be minimising mistakes.
“I still have a lot of good memories from that week a couple of years ago, and after almost a year on Tour now I think I’m a better player than I was then.
“I know I’m going to make a lot of birdies, so it will really be about keeping the mistakes to a minimum.
“It’s going to be a good week, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
With the Australian Open next week and the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA in three weeks, Lee says it is an important stretch of golf.
“They’re all big events and the PGA especially being co-sanctioned is an important one,” he says.
“So there is a lot to play for, and I’m excited for it.”
Despite beginning the year with no status on any professional Tour, Lee came within a whisker of securing full rights in Europe competing predominantly on sponsor invites.
However, having assured himself 15-20 starts for 2020, he says he considers the year a success.
“After starting where I did to almost get a full card was a really good effort and I’m very proud of it,” he says.
“It’s been a fantastic experience since January, and I’ve really enjoyed it and learned a lot as well.
“All the other professionals have been really good to me, and it’s been great to get to know quite a few of them.”
Lee said he had played a lot of golf with 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman during the year and the South African had been a source of confidence.
“All the guys have told me the same thing,” he said of his interaction with the Tour’s more seasoned players.
“They say I just need to keep doing what I’m doing and that I don’t need to change anything.
“That’s nice to hear, and I’ve enjoyed picking all their brains about the game.”
Lee tees off at 7.15 am tomorrow in the company of David Micheluzzi and Brett Rumford.
