Min Woo Lee is excited to make it a family affair when he tees it up at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open alongside sister Minjee, when the historic tournament features on the DP World Tour for the first time held on the world-famous Melbourne Sandbelt.
The marquee tournament is being played alongside the Women’s Australia Open at the same time and at the same venues, putting Australian golf on the world stage for two consecutive weeks with Fortinet Australian PGA Championship staged at Royal Queensland last week.
Victoria Golf Club is the primary host venue across all four days of the tournament and Kingston Heath Golf Club is set to host play on Thursday and Friday.
Two-time DP World Tour winner Min Woo comes into the event on the back of a top-five finish in the season opening Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and will hope playing again in front of home fans will inspire him to another strong showing.
'Just to see the fam I think is a special thing. We don’t get to see each other that much, so just to put the band together, it’s pretty cool. We don’t get to do that, that often, so it is very cool. Then we can spend Christmas together, so I think with the schedule and all that, it works really well. It brings everyone together, which is awesome, and what we want and what we need. Especially in Australia, playing in front of the home crowd. It was special last week and I‘m sure this week will be even better.'
World Number Four Minjee, who won her second Major Championship earlier this year, has never won the Women’s Australian Open despite being in contention on numerous occasions in eight attempts, with a best finish of third at Royal Adelaide in 2017.
'I mean it’s pretty cool to be able to play with the men and also the All Abilities tournament that’s going on all at the same time. Obviously playing with Min Woo and being able to see him is really special to me. Just being back in Australia I think is really cool. I haven’t played in a couple of years back home, so I think it’s going to be a great turnout and I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans come out and maybe a lot of little kids here and there. I think it will be really fun.'
Meanwhile, home favourite Lucas Herbert is determined to overcome a back injury that forced the 26-year-old to withdraw from last week's Fortinet Australian PGA Championship. With some time off over the festive period to come, Herbert was determined to play to maintain some momentum as he looks to move up from 57th into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking and earn a place at the Masters Tournament.
Major winners Adam Scott, Karrie Webb and Ashleigh Buhai are also in the field, while Ryan Fox will hope to end a hugely successful 2022 in style after missing the cut last week at Royal Queensland following a hectic journey from the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Adding to the festival of golf atmosphere, the Australian All Abilities Championship @ the ISPS HANDA Australian Open is also taking place from Friday to Sunday at Victoria Golf Club.
