Min Woo inspired by Minjee to shoot course record 63
Lee equalled the course record at the Detroit Golf Club as he made a fantastic start in a bid to lift his second PGA Tour title on Thursday.
But the 26-year-old perhaps knew where the thanks were due after he got a surprise pep talk from big sister Minjee following her third major championship success in the Women's PGA in Texas at the weekend.
Lee revealed before teeing off that he had had a call from 29-year-old Minjee - and it evidently worked wonders for a man who hasn't been playing his best of late.
"Normally, she doesn't check up on me, but it was actually quite nice to get a call from her," said little brother Min Woo.
"I was like, 'did you butt dial me? What's going on?' She's like, 'No, I just wanted to check in.' I was like, 'oh, okay'. She's awesome.
"I think she had a bit of a night on Sunday with a few of her friends. I think they all had a week off this week, so it's good to see her in a nice mental space and happy on the course.
"She was going through a tough patch the last couple of years, so it's nice to see her have her swagger back.
"I don't think she learns that much off me. I try to learn off her. She's just a beast when she's playing good.
"She just doesn't do much wrong and you just see that step in her walk. You know she's comfortable with her game and you know she's got control. She's already a ball striker, so it's quite cool to see her walk the walk. It's a very cool thing. We're trying to play as good as we can."
Something clearly rubbed off, though, as Min Woo, starting on the back nine, opened with birdie and then a bogey on Thursday before beginning a spectacular run that featured nine birdies over the next 16 holes.
His three straight birdies to finish the round left him a shot ahead of American Andrew Putman among the early wave, while South African big hitter Aldrich Potgieter was also threatening to post a superb opening round as he lay eight under after just a dozen holes.
Lee Hodges and Zach Johnson were both on seven under after rounds of 65.
Lee is out to add to his one PGA Tour win, which came in March, but he's struggled since that victory in the Houston Open, missing the cut at both the PGA Championship and US Open.
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
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