Min Woo Lee kicked off The Players Championship with remarkable determination, finishing the first round just one stroke off the lead. The Australian golfer's performance showcased his exceptional skill as he navigated various challenges throughout the iconic course.
During the first round, he faced a particularly tricky situation on the 18th hole, where his tee shot veered drastically to the right, landing outside the ropes. Finding himself confronted by trees and other obstacles, Lee opted for creativity rather than simply searching for his ball, deciding instead to attempt to roll the ball through the trees using the cart path. "I wanted to hit the cart path maybe once, but not four times, something like, four or five times," Lee recounted humorously after his round. "I tried to one-bounce it and then hopefully the second bounce was under the branches and letting it roll out to the fairway."
Despite his difficulties, Lee's incredible talent shone bright on his third shot from just off the edge of the fairway, still under the trees. Using a pitching wedge, Lee crafted the shot perfectly, maneuvering it to avoid disaster as it rolled just inches away from the watery hazard. "That third shot could have easily gone in the water had I just pulled it, but I used a bit of magic and tried to cut up a pitching wedge out of the rough and -- out of the pine straw, and it was absolutely perfect," he mused.
The drama didn’t end there. After executing the tricky shot, Lee faced a 22-foot putt, which he approached with great anticipation. The moment was heightened when his putter struck the ball, initially appearing to veer right, then unexpectedly rolling calmly to settle at the bottom of the hole. This successful conversion showcased his sharp putting skills, leaving him with six birdies and only one bogey by the end of the first 18 holes, placing him tied for fourth.
Lee's momentum persisted as he transitioned to the second round. By the 15th hole, he had racked up seven birdies with no bogeys, bringing his score to an impressive 10-under par, leaving him just one stroke clear of big names such as Rory McIlroy.
Impressively, Lee, 26, earned his PGA Tour card only last year, and fans are eagerly watching to see if he can secure his first championship win at this level. His older sister, Minjee Lee, shines on the LPGA Tour with two major championship titles and has reached the rank of World No. 1, highlighting the exceptional talent within the Lee family.
Although they each navigate their paths, Min Woo Lee is quickly marking his territory on the PGA Tour, earning the nickname "Dr. Chipinski" for his extraordinary wedge skills, enhancing the current excitement around his golfing prowess.
Looking forward, as the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Min Woo Lee as he maintains his strong lead. His impressive play and remarkable shot-making ability might just lead him to achieve his dream of winning on the PGA Tour, following closely in the footsteps of his sister.
The Players Championship is not just another tournament; it is where the legends are made. Lee's performance through the first two rounds has positioned him as one to watch closely. The anticipation builds as he prepares to tackle the remaining holes of this demanding championship. Who knows? Lee might just wrap up the title this year, showing everyone his brilliant game and tenacity!