'Let him cook': Min Woo Lee serves up victory at Australian PGA
Min Woo Lee celebrates his first Australian PGA Championship title with an impressive win over Japan's Riyuka Hoshino.
Min Woo Lee's Celebration
Min Woo Lee secured his first Australian PGA Championship title with a memorable celebration. On the next-to-last hole, Lee put on a chef's hat and joined the boisterous crowd in a synchronized clap. He then jogged off to the 18th hole.
Despite narrowly missing par on the last hole, Lee closed with a 3-under 68 to finish 20 under for the tournament. He secured a three-shot victory over Japan's Riyuka Hoshino, who also closed with a 68.
Ranked No. 45 and hailing from Western Australia, Lee has popularized the catchphrase 'let him cook'. With a four-shot lead going into the final hole, he put on a chef's hat and clapped his hands above his head in sync with the crowd at the 17th, also known as the Party Hole at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
Impressive Shots
During the tournament, Min Woo Lee brought the crowd to life with an incredible shot. He chipped in for an eagle at the par-5 ninth, creating an electric atmosphere. Lee described it as the best atmosphere shot he has ever hit and one of the best shots of his career.
This victory at the Australian PGA Championship adds to Lee's recent success. He had a wire-to-wire win in the Asian Tour's Macau Open last month, securing his first victory since 2021. It was his fourth career title.
Australian golfer Marc Leishman also had an impressive performance in the tournament. He made seven birdies in a closing round of 64 and finished in third place at 16 under, just one shot ahead of Curtis Luck (69). Joaquin Niemann of Chile claimed fourth place at 13 under, with his final round highlighted by an ace at the par-3 fourth.
Lee's Career Ambitions
Min Woo Lee has high aspirations for his career. He was targeting a victory on the European tour in 2023 and, although he didn't achieve it in the recently ended season, he still accomplished a significant milestone within the calendar year. This included a tie for fifth at the U.S. Open.
Lee will be participating in the Australian Open next week, which features a joint tournament format with men's and women's fields. His sister, two-time major winner Minjee Lee, will also be playing in Sydney.
With two wins in the last month and a successful Australian PGA Championship, Lee is proud of his recent achievements. He is excited for what the future holds and has proven himself as a talented golfer on both the Asian and European Tours.
