He comes to the Emirates Australian Open off a close call two days ago and some valuable lessons learned, which rising star Min Woo Lee believes will serve him well as he prepares for a tilt at the 2019 Stonehaven Cup.
The 21-year-old Golf Australia rookie squad member has been earmarked as one of Australia’s most promising players since capturing the US Junior Amateur tournament in 2016 and despite not being at his best at last week’s NSW Open had a putt on the 72nd green to join the eventual play-off.
He failed to find the cup with that birdie try but while he was disappointed at the result he has brought plenty of positives on the 40-minute journey from Twin Creeks to The Australian.
“I just didn’t play good,” he said in the aftermath of his close call Sunday. “I only missed by one but I feel like I could have won by five or six.
“I had so many opportunities out there that I just didn’t take which is a bit frustrating but I feel like I learned a lot from being there as well.
“When I look back in a few years’ time I think it will have been a really important tournament and experience for me and I will definitely be able to call on today’s round in the future.”
While he is yet to see The Australian this week, he has good memories of his time here in 2017 when he drew Jordan Spieth in the third round.
“That was a great experience even though I don’t think I finished very high up the leaderboard,” he said. “It’s a big golf course and that suits my game so hopefully I can play well and get into a good group and have a good week.
“There’s a real buzz around the place already with all the big-name players we have here this week and it just makes me more excited to get started.”