’Chasing the W’. It was an expression I had not heard in reporting on golf until the emergence of TW.
TW we all know is Tiger Woods and he’s spent his golfing career successfully chasing the ‘W’.
Though this week, and on the 25th anniversary of his TWs Masters debut, there is another golfer chasing the ‘W’ in just his second Augusta showing.
Ultra-talented Aussie Min Woo Lee has been knocking on the door for the ‘W’ for some time, since the end of last year when he secured back-to-back T4th and T3rd finishes at the respective Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.
Ultra-talented Aussie Min-Woo Lee chasing the ‘W’ this week at Augusta National
The New Year dawned with the Perth-born golfer finishing runner-up to Frenchman Victor Perez in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, an effort that saw him jump eight places on the World Rankings to World No. 50.
It was the first time in some 10 months Lee had moved back inside the elite top-50 in the world and since his finish in the UAE capital, Lee’s not left the world’s leading 50.
Undoubtedly, Lee’s best showing this new season was his gutsy sixth place finish at the Players Championship having put himself into contention thanks to a third day 66 but only to stumble on the back of a closing 76.
Lee had arrived at TPC Sawgrass lying 50th on the World Rankings and with his showing at Tour hq lifting him to World No. 46 ahead of cementing his return visit to the Masters two weeks later in making it through to the last 32 at the WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship in Austin, Texas.
”I’ve been loving the way I’ve been playing,” said Lee. “Obviously some learning curves have been thrown at me, but it’s nice when you both have a really good week. Also you learn, especially at The Players. So I’m just really excited that I’m here.
”It was a bit of a sweat to get here. Obviously top 50 to get in, and I was pretty close to that number. It was rewarding at the same time. You always want to be here every year”.
So, what now of Lee’s chances in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Australian nation being brought to a virtual standstill on Monday morning (Australian time) April 15th when Adam Scott became the first Australian in the 77-year history of the Masters to be fitted with an Augusta National members green jacket?
“Obviously, I would like a W,” Lee said smiling when asked his expectations this week.
“My game’s really close. I’ve knocked on the door a few times over the last six months.
“Again, not to get too ahead of myself and just to enjoy it. I love playing while enjoying and having fun and interacting with the fans. So a bit of both.
“I think it’s time to lock in, but it’s also nice to just have fun”.
Joining Lee this week, and for a second year running, will be his family including his double-major winning sister Minjee Lee, who will again act as her brother’s caddy in the Par-3 Contest.
