Lee’s Winning Performance at the Australian PGA

BRISBANE, Australia – Min Woo Lee’s victory celebration at the Australian PGA Championship was one to remember. Starting on the next-to-last hole, he put on a chef’s hat, joined in a synchronized clap with the lively crowd, and then jogged off to the 18th hole.

Despite narrowly missing par at the last, Lee closed with a 3-under 68 to finish 20 under for the tournament and secure a three-shot win over Japan’s Riyuka Hoshino, who also closed with 68.

Lee, ranked No. 45 and hailing from Western Australia, is known for his catchphrase, “let him cook.” So, heading into the final hole with a four-shot lead, he donned a chef’s hat, hyped up the crowd at the 17th hole, also known as the Party Hole at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

He further energized the crowd with a remarkable long chip for an eagle at the par-5 ninth. “The best atmosphere shot I’ve ever hit,” Lee said. “That one, at that point, it was getting close. I was in a pretty average position. To chip that in — it was amazing. It’s one of the best shots I’ve probably hit.”

Lee secured a wire-to-wire win in the Asian Tour’s Macau Open last month for his first victory since 2021, and added this one quickly on home soil, marking his fourth career title.

Marc Leishman made seven birdies in a closing 64 to secure third place at 16 under, one ahead of Curtis Luck (69). Joaquin Niemann of Chile was fourth at 13 under, his final round 67 highlighted by an ace at the par-3 fourth.

Adam Scott slipped back to sixth place at 12 under with a 70 on Sunday after threatening Lee’s lead in the second and third rounds.

The Australian PGA, co-sanctioned by the Australasian Tour and DP World Tour, gave Lee a third title on the European circuit. “I’ve always thought I could win, but it took a while to get over the hump,” he said. “Two wins in the last month or so …. really proud of it.”

Lee was targeting a victory on the European tour in 2023 and while he didn’t achieve it in the season that ended last week, he still made it within the calendar year that also included a tie for fifth at the U.S. Open.

Lee will play next week at the Australian Open that has a joint tournament format to feature men’s and women’s fields. His sister, two-time major winner Minjee Lee, will also be playing in Sydney.