Min Woo Lee: A Brief Biography
Min Woo Lee's Early Life and Background
- Min Woo Lee's Early Life and Background
- Min Woo Lee's Amateur Golf Career
- Min Woo Lee's Professional Career
- Min Woo Lee's Playing Style
- Min Woo Lee's Golf Journey
- Min Woo Lee's Caddie
- Min Woo Lee's Achievements
- Min Woo Lee's Majors
- Kurt Kitayama's International Wins
- Min Woo Lee's Net Worth
- Min Woo Lee's Ventures
- Min Woo Lee's Assets
- Min Woo Lee's Family
- Min Woo Lee's Siblings
- Min Woo Lee's Wife
- Min Woo Lee's Cars
Professional golfer Min Woo Lee was born on July 27, 1998, in Perth, Western Australia. He competes on both the PGA and European tours. Originally from Korea, his parents, Soonam and Clara Lee, immigrated to Australia many years ago.
According to various interviews and publications, Lee has thanked and shown his love for his family for making that decision. Unfortunately, not much is known about his early life and background.
Min Woo Lee's Amateur Golf Career
Lee had a great amateur golf career, winning Drummond Junior titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He won the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Championship and the Western Australia Amateur in 2015.
Winning the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2016 was a major accomplishment for Lee. He won another championship at the Western Australia Amateur in 2017, which kept up the momentum. Then, Lee won the South Australia Amateur Classic in 2018, further solidifying his stellar amateur career.
Aside from individual accomplishments, Lee was instrumental in team successes as well. He helped the team win the Sloan Morpeth Trophy in 2016 and competed for Australia in the 2017 Nomura Cup.
2018 saw Lee play a significant role in the Asia/Pacific team's victory in the Bonallack Trophy and the Eisenhower Trophy.
Min Woo Lee's Professional Career
Lee began his professional career in 2019. In February, he participated in several European Tour events and achieved early success, placing fourth in the Saudi International and tying for fifth in the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth. But these were his only top-10 results all season, and he placed 117th in the Order of Merit.
Lee finished in a tie for sixth place in the Korean Tour's Genesis Championship in October. He finished the year tied for third in the Australian PGA Championship, an early-season event on the 2020 European Tour, and solo third in the AVJennings NSW Open.
Lee won the ISPS Handa Vic Open in February 2020, which was jointly sponsored by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour. At the (Genesis) Abrdn Scottish Open in July 2021, Lee prevailed over Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Detry in a playoff. It was this victory that got him into the 2021 Open Championship.
Lee was granted a special temporary membership on the PGA Tour in May 2023. He won the SJM Macao Open on the Asian Tour in October 2023. Reaching the final round two strokes ahead of Poom Saksansin, he shot a tournament record of 254 (30 under par). In November 2023, Lee emerged victorious at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.
Min Woo Lee's Playing Style
Lee is well-known for his fast-paced, aggressive style of play. In addition, he is well-known for his accurate execution of the low, running tee shot known as the "stinger shot."
Reportedly, during a junior event, the stinger maestro, Tiger Woods, gave Lee some advice on the shot. His aggressive style and ability to get through hard holes on tough golf courses are praised by critics and admirers alike.
Min Woo Lee's Golf Journey
Min Woo Lee was born on July 27, 1998, in Perth, Western Australia, to Soonam and Clara Lee, Korean immigrants who made a key decision to move to Australia, a decision Lee gratefully acknowledges.
Lee, a well-known amateur golfer, won the Drummond Junior titles from 2013 to 2015, as well as the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Championship, the US Junior Amateur title, and the Western Australia Amateur. He also helped his team win the Sloan Morpeth Trophy and the Bonallack Trophy.
Lee made his professional debut in 2019, soon making his mark on the European Tour with notable finishes in events such as the Saudi International and the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth. Despite a disappointing season, he won the ISPS Handa Vic Open in February 2020.
Lee's success carried over into 2021, when he won the (Genesis) Abrdn Scottish Open, gaining a place in the coveted 2021 Open Championship, though he missed the cut. In May 2023, he was granted special temporary membership on the PGA Tour. Later that year, Lee cemented his professional status by winning the Asian Tour's SJM Macao Open in October and the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in November.
Min Woo Lee's Caddie
Stuart Davidson is Lee's bagman at the moment. According to Golf Monthly, Davidson has caddied for players such as Jamie McLeary, Gavin Moynihan, Anton Karlsson, and Jack Senior for many years. However, not much is known about Davidson.
Lee has also had a few different caddies over the years. He worked with Sean McDonagh and a caddie named William Harke, who celebrated with Lee at the Scottish Open in 2021.
Harke has worked as a caddie for a number of golfers, including Jonas Blixt, Peter Tomasulo, Peter Lonard, Aron Price, James Driscoll, Tom Gillis, Colt Knost, and Chris Kirk. In fact, he considers his best moment as a caddie to be helping Kirk win the RSM Classic at Sea Island in 2013.
Min Woo Lee's Achievements
Thus far, Lee has triumphed in four professional tournaments. The 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open, the 2021 Abrdn Scottish Open, and the 2023 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship are the three European Tour events he has won.
On the Asian Tour, he also took home the 2023 SJM Macao Open title. He has participated in events on the European Tour, the PGA Tour, and the PGA Tour of Australasia. As of December 2023, he had reached a career-high ranking of 33.
Min Woo Lee's Majors
Sl. No. | Tournaments | Year |
1. | U.S. Open | 2023 (T5) |
2. | Masters Tournaments | 2022 (T14) |
3. | PGA Championship | 2023 (T18) |
4. | The Open Championship | 2022 (T21) |
Kurt Kitayama's International Wins
Year | Tournament | Win Score | Margin | Runner-up |
2020 | ISPS Handa Vic Open | -19 | 2 | Ryan Fox |
2021 | Abrdn Scottish Open | -18 | Playoff | Thomas Detry, Matt Fitzpatrick |
2023 | Fortinet Australian PGA Championship | -20 | 3 | Rikuya Hoshino |
2023 | SJM Macao Open | -23 | 2 | Poom Saksansin |
Min Woo Lee's Net Worth
The net worth of Lee is estimated to be $5 million as of December 2023. Lee also earns from endorsements, but the amount is not known.
Lee has competed on three tours: the PGA Tour, the European Tour, and the PGA Tour of Australasia, with the PGA Tour being the most recent. Thus, his career earnings vary due to currency fluctuations; according to the European Tour's official website, his career earnings total €6,330,611.13 ($6,949,744.90).
While some sources claims that his overall career earnings are $3,501,514, the sum of both sums is $10.4 million, but given how much the value varies, it's best to leave it unresolved.
Min Woo Lee's Ventures
ADP is a worldwide supplier of cloud-based HRM solutions, and Lee has an endorsement agreement with them. He probably has more endorsement contracts, but they haven't been made public yet.
Min Woo Lee's Assets
There is no official information available about any assets owned by Lee.
Min Woo Lee's Family
Lee’s parents, Soonam and Clara Lee are citizens of Australia, having moved there many years ago from Korea, where they were born. The entire Lee family is made up of avid golfers and enthusiasts.
The father of Lee is Soonam Lee. Soonam Lee has the same enthusiasm for golf as his son does. Soonam Lee played golf for his Korean high school before moving to Australia with his family. He reportedly had a very good handicap, but how low the score is unknown.
Lee's mother, Clara Lee, participated in golf as well. She used to work as a driving range teacher. A few of the reports claim that Clara is a professional golfer as well, but there is no confirmation of this.
Min Woo Lee's Siblings
Lee has an older sister, Minjee Lee, a Perth-based professional golfer from Australia who was born on May 27, 1996. She presently competes on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. After winning the Oates Victorian Open in February 2014, she was ranked as the top amateur golfer, a position she held until becoming professional in September of the same year.
Lee won the Amundi Evian Championship, her first major title, on July 25, 2021. She won the U.S. Women's Open, her second major championship, on June 5, 2022.
Lee finished with a 16 under par total score of 272, making her the winner of the Kroger Queen City Championship on September 10, 2023. In a playoff match versus Charley Hull. Lee continued to succeed and won another championship at the BMW Ladies Championship on October 22, 2023. She won a playoff match once more, this time against Alison Lee, with scores of 64-69-71-68 and 272.
Min Woo Lee's Wife
Lee is presently dating Gracie Drennan and is not yet married. Lee posted his anniversary photos for two and four years on Instagram in 2021 and 2023, respectively, which led the couple to come together in April 2019. But there's no information on how they first met.
Drennan supported him while he competed against other professionals on several tours, often taking part in his tournaments. According to reports, she graduated from South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle with a degree in fashion design and merchandising. She works as a product and design coordinator for the Australian lifestyle company Spell at the moment.
Min Woo Lee's Cars
Lee reportedly owns a New Genesis GV80, valued at $57,450. However, no more information is available about any other car.
FAQ's On Min Woo Lee
A. Min Woo Lee was born in Perth, Western Australia. He competes on the PGA and European Tours.
A. Min Woo Lee won Drummond Junior titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
A. Min Woo Lee helped win the Sloan Morpeth Trophy in 2016 and competed in the 2018 Bonallack Trophy.
A. Min Woo Lee started his professional career in 2019, debuting on the European Tour.
A. Min Woo Lee is known for his fast-paced, aggressive style and precise execution of the "stinger shot."
A. Min Woo Lee's net worth is approximately $5 million as of December 2023.