Min Woo Lee has major ambitions as he begins his 2024 season on the PGA Tour

With more than 250,000 social media followers and growing golfing expectation 2024 looms as a massive year for Australia’s next big thing.

Min Woo Lee . (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / --

A summer “boot camp” in Perth and some off-grid camping helped bring Min Woo Lee down off the high of a stunning end to 2023 and refocus his goals on making a major impact on 2024 as a fully-fledged US PGA Tour player.

The world no.37 was the centre of attention when he took out the Australian PGA in Brisbane and fell just short of doubling that up in the Australian Open in Sydney on the back of some stunning play which had galleries swarming at the two major events of the summer.

Lee, who will make his 2024 debut at the American Express in California this week, conceded the Open “slipped away” after a sluggish Sunday where he surrendered the lead and had to settle for third behind Chilean dynamo Joaquin Niemann.

Huge crowds followed Min Woo Lee at the Australian Open in Sydney. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

But the 25-year-old social media sensation didn’t spent too much time stewing on it and after putting away his clubs, and his phone, before Christmas is now ready to embrace the enhanced expectation that follows his bold home showing.

“When I was in Australia I had probably a month off, three weeks off. Did a bunch of camping, which was awesome, in Esperance. Off the grid, no phones,” Lee said from California.

“Yeah, people that know me, I’m on my phone pretty much a lot, 24/7, so it’s nice to chill out and relax and have some down time.

“The last six months have been amazing and reflecting on it, talking about it with a lot of people, it’s one of the better golf stretches I have had and I want to keep it going.

“Usually, I’m fine with putting down the clubs for a little bit, and then coming back pretty fresh. I guess it’s a plus for me a little bit, so excited for the week and the year.”

hey guys, there is a lot of chatter and arguments about the golf ball roll back, just want to say i’m sorry. I’m part of the problem. Sincerely, you’re fave chef, Woozy 👨‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/Osp75qgq9z

— Min Woo Lee (@Minwoo27Lee) December 5, 2023

Changes loom large for Lee in 2024 with a new clothing deal and a move to Las Vegas, which he expects to be his long-term US base.

But the changes also include increased pressure to perform against the world’s best on a weekly basis to appease a fan base that includes his more growing number of social media followers.

That number which exploded amid his exploits at the end of last year, as well as his early season effort to lead the Players Championship in Florida.

“Yeah, it was amazing. Social media’s obviously blown up. Probably got, I don’t know, 250,000 people on Instagram from that, since that time,” Lee said.

“I don’t want to let them down but I also want to play well for myself so it’s not like it’s added pressure.

“They expect a bit more from me, I’m getting better and I expect a lot from myself too.”

Lee even declared himself ready to satisfy the band of chef’s hat wearers who followed him Australia, inspired by his “Let’s cook” motto around bringing his best to each round, which this year will be done sporting his new golfing gear.

“Yes, ready to cook. Hopefully,” he said.

“Hopefully, I’ll be looking good as well, and if I don’t play good, then at least I’ll look good.”

Originally published as Min Woo Lee has major ambitions as he begins his 2024 season on the PGA Tour