Aussie golf star Min Woo Lee has capped off a breakout 2023 with confirmation he will receive a full PGA Tour membership for next year.
Lee competed on the PGA Tour in the back-half of the year after receiving a special temporary membership in May.
Having risen to as high as 43rd in the Official World Golf Rankings, Lee’s T6 finish at the Zozo Championship in Japan last month lifted him to No.94 on the FedEx Cup Fall standings. Non-members who equal or surpass No.125 on that list automatically earn full membership for the following season.
READ MORE: Smith’s confusing place among Aussie greats
READ MORE: World Cup’s baffling snub for Aussie hero
READ MORE: American billionaire secures A-Leagues licence
Back in Australia for this week’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland on the banks of the Brisbane River, Lee said achieving full status was his main goal for the year.
“Obviously the PGA Tour card was a massive thing that was on my radar from last year, and I had a couple of pathways to do it,” he said.
“It’s been an amazing year – top-five at the US open was probably the biggest highlight for myself, and I had a few good results throughout the year.”
Lee was also set to secure his card through the European DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai, and revealed he didn’t get any kind of confirmation he would receive his card until his name fell off that list.
“I knew probably after Japan about a month ago, but I got confirmation probably last week when they took me off the DP World top ten list because I got enough points to have my card,” he said.
Watch the 2023 Australian PGA Championship, live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“I’ve known for about a month – it’s pretty cool.”
Securing his card will mean Lee will base himself in the US to chase a debut PGA Tour win.
Lee is among the favourites to win Tuesday night’s Greg Norman Medal, awarded to the best-performing Australian on the international stage.
Cameron Smith has won the award two of the last three years, and LPGA gun Hannah Green in 2021.
But Min Woo is also up against his sister Minjee, who picked up two wins on the LPGA tour this season.
“I’ve gotta go up against my sister, as well as a couple other guys and girls – I don’t think I’ve done enough to win it, but you know It’s always a good night,” he said.
“Hopefully one of the Lees win it.”
Joining Lee in the Australian PGA field is Cameron Smith, Cam Davis, Adam Scott, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman.
The Australian PGA gets underway on Thursday, and will be live and free on Nine and 9Now.