'Very cool': Minjee inspires Min Woo at Rocket Classic
Lee equalled the course record at the Detroit Golf Club as he made a fantastic start in a bid to lift a second PGA Tour title this year.
He finished the day in a three-way tied for third, one shot off the pace, after American Kevin Roy and South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter both bettered Lee's new course record with 10-under 62s.
Lee 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 last 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 26-year-old Min Woo, starting on the back nine, opened with birdie and then a bogey on Thursday (Friday AEST) before beginning a spectacular run that featured nine birdies over the next 16 holes.
His three straight birdies to finish the round left him tied for third with US pair Mark Hubbard and Max Greyserman, with another eight players within three strokes of the leading duo.
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.
Min Woo Lee has tipped his hat to brilliant sister Minjee following her latest major-winning exploit - and it seemed like the inspiration behind his dazzling nine-under-ar 63 in the first round of the Rocket Classic in Detroit.
Lee equalled the course record at the Detroit Golf Club as he made a fantastic start in a bid to lift a second PGA Tour title this year.
He finished the day in a three-way tied for third, one shot off the pace, after American Kevin Roy and South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter both bettered Lee's new course record with 10-under 62s.
Lee 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 last 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 26-year-old Min Woo, starting on the back nine, opened with birdie and then a bogey on Thursday (Friday AEST) before beginning a spectacular run that featured nine birdies over the next 16 holes.
His three straight birdies to finish the round left him tied for third with US pair Mark Hubbard and Max Greyserman, with another eight players within three strokes of the leading duo.
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.
Min Woo Lee has tipped his hat to brilliant sister Minjee following her latest major-winning exploit - and it seemed like the inspiration behind his dazzling nine-under-ar 63 in the first round of the Rocket Classic in Detroit.
Lee equalled the course record at the Detroit Golf Club as he made a fantastic start in a bid to lift a second PGA Tour title this year.
He finished the day in a three-way tied for third, one shot off the pace, after American Kevin Roy and South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter both bettered Lee's new course record with 10-under 62s.
Lee 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 last 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 26-year-old Min Woo, starting on the back nine, opened with birdie and then a bogey on Thursday (Friday AEST) before beginning a spectacular run that featured nine birdies over the next 16 holes.
His three straight birdies to finish the round left him tied for third with US pair Mark Hubbard and Max Greyserman, with another eight players within three strokes of the leading duo.
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.
Min Woo Lee has tipped his hat to brilliant sister Minjee following her latest major-winning exploit - and it seemed like the inspiration behind his dazzling nine-under-ar 63 in the first round of the Rocket Classic in Detroit.
Lee equalled the course record at the Detroit Golf Club as he made a fantastic start in a bid to lift a second PGA Tour title this year.
He finished the day in a three-way tied for third, one shot off the pace, after American Kevin Roy and South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter both bettered Lee's new course record with 10-under 62s.
Lee 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 last 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 26-year-old Min Woo, starting on the back nine, opened with birdie and then a bogey on Thursday (Friday AEST) before beginning a spectacular run that featured nine birdies over the next 16 holes.
His three straight birdies to finish the round left him tied for third with US pair Mark Hubbard and Max Greyserman, with another eight players within three strokes of the leading duo.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Football Australia accused of ‘mishandling' club licensing process by players' union
Football Australia has been slammed by Professional Footballers Australia for a 'mishandled club licensing process' that has jeopardised the future of Western United players. Stripped of its A-League licence on August 8 by Football Australia for failing to meet the criteria required to compete in the national men's and women's competitions, United's appeal against the decision was due to be lodged by 5pm on August 16. However, United asked for an extension to submit its appeal, which FA has granted. United's new deadline to lodge its appeal is 10am on Thursday. Once the appeal has been lodged, another eight days will pass before FA decides whether to return its licence. With the A-League transfer window closing next month, time is running out for United players to find new teams if their club folds. Angry PFA chief executive officer Beau Busch took aim at FA for failing to stick to its scheduling licensing deadline of May 19. 'The players and fans are victims of Football Australia's drawn-out and mishandled club licensing process,' Busch said. 'What should have been resolved over three months ago was allowed to drift through inaction and has eroded the players' trust in FA's ability to effectively regulate the professional game. 'The courage and professionalism of the players and staff at Western United has not been matched by those tasked with governing the sport. 'The professional game requires an effective regulator that can safeguard the collective interests of Australian football.' PFA is also unhappy that United players had to find out through the media that their club's licence had been revoked. The uncertainty about United's future is also delaying players' wishes of moving to overseas clubs. Highly rated teenage defender Dylan Leonard is in the sights of clubs from three European nations. However, the clubs are waiting to discover if they will be required to pay a transfer fee for Leonard or can sign him for free. United announced in May that KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of American company KAM Sports, would become the club's new majority investor. However, FA is yet to receive KAM Melbourne's full ownership proposal – understood to be worth $100m when including the purchase of the club's parent company Western Melbourne Group – and therefore cannot approve it. Last week, NewsWire reported that United's current investors, WMG, had been advised to pay the club's substantial debts, rather than rely on KAM Melbourne, to ensure the club's future. Those debts include a six-figure sum owed to the club's former striker Aleksandar Prijovic – the non-payment of which has led to United being banned from registering players by FIFA – and a multimillion-dollar tax bill reportedly owed by United chairman Jason Sourasis.
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
BMW Championship: Day's slump ends historic Aussie Tour Championship run
There will be no Australian presence in the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship for the first time this century after Jason Day's final round collapse at the BMW Championship where Scottie Scheffler secured a staggering 13th win in the past 18 months. Only three Aussies made the playoffs, and only Day made it to the second event in Maryland after both Min Woo Lee and Cam Davis crashed out. But needing to climb into the top 30 on the FedEx Cup rankings to compete in the season-ending $40m event, Day crashed with a closing three-over 73 to finish tied for 23rd at the BMW and 44th on the rankings. Jason Day crashed out of the PGA Tour playoffs. Picture: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images He was 16 shots behind the almost unbeatable Scheffler, who won for an 18th time in just five full seasons on the tour, which he joined in 2020. It was his fifth win in 2025, adding to his two major triumphs at the British Open and the PGA Championship. The victory was Scheffler's staggering 13th in the past 18 months, a run that began at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2024. It's a period of dominance only bettered by the likes of Tiger Woods in the history of the game. 'It's been a nice stretch the last few years and I've done some really good things,' Scheffler said modestly after his BMW win. 'It's nice to get the results from a lot of hard work. That's not something I think about day to day. I try to approach everything week by week, and when you really boil down to it, just day by day. 'This week was a good week. It was a battle all the way through, fortunate to be sitting here.' Scottie Scheffler just keeps racking up wins. Picture: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images via AFP Scheffler, 29, hasn't finished lower than eighth in his past 13 events, winning five of them. He is already third on the all-time PGA Tour money winners list after being been rookie of the year in 2020, his first full season on the tour. The four-time major champion has won in excess of $150m and now trails only Rory McIlroy and Woods. Scheffler could moving within touching distance of McIlroy in second next week with a $15m first prize on offer at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. By comparison, Adam Scott has won just more than $107m in career earnings, the leading Australian on the PGA Tour list, but across 25 years.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs
The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow."
