» The ‘kick in the butt’ that turned Min Woo Lee from social media star to Australia’s No.1 male golfer

He picked up the bill as a small gesture of his gratitude.

“Of course it was me [paying]. I made a nice little cheque [a] couple days ago,” Lee said.

Lee had threatened to break through for a win on the PGA tour for some time.

He had shot a record-breaking six under par 30 on the front nine at Augusta on the final day of his first US Masters in 2022, finished fifth in the 2023 US Open, runner-up in two US PGA tournaments in 2024, won the Australian PGA and the Scottish Open that year.

But leading into the Houston Open he was aware that the near misses couldn’t continue for too long. In mid-March he had led the Players Championship – a tournament known as the fifth major – at the halfway mark before a horror third round saw him fall out of contention, eventually finishing tied in 20th place. He was aware knockers were starting to find a voice.

“That’s why people don’t [seek a high profile] because there’s a [chance it’s] all talk but no show and I felt like I kind of got to that stage where there was a lot of talking but not as good golf as I can do,” Lee said.

“I think I needed, not a reality check, but a kick in the butt just to get a win or get a really good finish. So I’m glad that happened.”

Lee’s speed through the ball, deft short game and putting prowess had turned heads but entering 2025 a reputation for being inconsistent remained. His go get ’em style sometimes faltered through one poor decision or a crazy brave iron shot.

He wasn’t afraid of hard work but finding the steel he needed to keep things together throughout 72 holes remained a challenge.

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He approached fellow PGA Tour golfer and major winner Jason Day, who he says has been like a big brother on tour, for a chat.

“I told him how I felt during the Players [Championship],” Lee said.

“I wasn’t myself and I was trying to be someone else.

“He just said to trust the process and keep hitting good shots and, if not, it’s okay.”

That conversation helped as did the work with his team during the week to ensure he was mentally prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Something clicked in my head then… A lot of winners are very locked in and focused, laser focused. That’s something that I learned over the last week,” Lee said.

That grit was essential when he found himself in the water at the 16th hole with Scottie Scheffler breathing down his neck playing in the group ahead.

Lee scrambled to make bogey and took the advice from his experienced caddy Brian “Bo” Martin, who began carrying Lee’s bag this year, to remember he was playing solid golf. Lee once said talking to Martin was “like talking to Yoda”. The caddy had talked him out of a risky shot on the 8th when his ball landed under a tree in an unplayable position.

It meant he needed two pars on the final two holes to win his first PGA tournament. He admitted he could have spiralled at that moment.

“I just got a little bit carried away. Not that I was freaking out, but it could have been freaky, very freaky,” Lee said.

He concentrated hard until he made a memorable putt from off the green that left him with a tap-in on the 18th to win. It was only then he allowed his natural humour to shine through.

He assumed the aim point stance above the ball, drawing a wry laugh from Scheffler, who was watching in the scoring hut, and admiration from golf fans who liked his cheek.

It was just his 104th putt in 72 holes, a sign his short game was on song, and he had controlled his irons given he missed as many fairways as he hit.

The cheek is natural, not part of some orchestrated marketing campaign designed to build his brand. Having grown up with social media, and with a flair for one-liners, his motivation was to have fun rather than be commercial.

It can be seen in the self-deprecating post soon after his victory in which he reels off a list of his nicknames: Chef, Woozy, Dr Chipinski, Spinny Wazley, Lob Macintyre, Jacuzzi Woozy, Woo Woo Lemon, Min Diesel, Wu Jackman, Big Pertha, Woo Fast Woo Furious and Mindiana Jones and the Temple of Woo. He could add Win Moo Lee to the list now.

It can be seen in the Chef’s hats worn on course and the fans shouting the phrase, “Let Him Cook,” which is now synonymous with him as he heads to his fourth US Masters as the highest-ranked Australian in the world at No.22.

Augusta is his favourite course. In three appearances, he has missed the cut just once, finishing 14th in 2022 and 22nd last year.

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He gave himself a pass mark for that performance given he’d dropped a dumbbell on his finger in the lead up, rattling home with a personal best 69 on the final day.

“All the advice you get from other veterans that go there is just don’t do too much. You want to just keep playing and you want to keep practising…so just do your own routine, hang out and make sure you don’t overdo it early,” he said.

Alongside former winner Adam Scott, Day, Open winner Cam Smith and Cam Davis, it will be Lee commanding attention. “I feel like I inspire kids and inspire people to love and play golf. So it’s quite cool to be in the top spot in Australian golf and, hopefully, I can keep going.”

Let Him Cook.