Why Jason Day believes there’s another Aussie – Min Woo Lee – capable of being world No. 1
The most recent Australian to reach number one in the world golf rankings is convinced there’s another Aussie on the horizon with all the talent and ambition to get there.
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Having scaled the peak of world golf, Jason Day knows the view from the summit is a sight to behold.
He also knows the hard work and personal sacrifices that it takes to get to the top.
As the select few who have joined him in that rarefied air can attest, the climb up is littered with obstacles, which is why so few people ever get there, and the stay all too short.
The most recent Australian to reach number one in the world golf rankings, Day is convinced there’s another Aussie on the horizon with all the talent and ambition to get there, Min Woo Lee.
“I see a lot of potential,” Day told this masthead. “I see a kid that hits it a mile, has a great short game, can be a little bit streaky with his putting.
“But I know that once he gets a little bit better with his putting, he’ll have a lot better results than he has and he’s had a lot of great results already.”
A stickler for hard yakka, Day rarely gives such ringing endorsements to younger players because he knows that talent only counts for so much and high praise can sometimes become an unwitting burden.
So while he’s been greatly impressed with everything he’s already seen from Lee, Day also added a word of caution, saying the 26-year-old needs to go all in if he wants to be the best, and even then, nothing is ever guaranteed in the fickle royal and ancient game.
“We’ve had many sit downs and I’ve said ‘dude, you’ve got the potential of being the next number one, especially the next number one from Australia, you’ve just got to make it a lifestyle’,” Day said.
“It’s a lifestyle choice for you bud because you’re doing a really good job now but if you really want to take it to the next level, like everything has to be in order. Everything has to be moving towards that goal.
“So personal life, on course stuff, like your body, your health, the mental game, everything has to be pushing in that direction.
“I feel like he’s starting to realise that and what kind of potential he has. So it’ll be interesting to see how he goes over the next year or two years.”
More than a decade older, the 37-year-old Day has been following Lee’s career since he first started making waves as a junior and has become his unofficial mentor since he joined the PGA Tour.
Both men were selected to represent Australia at this year’s Paris Olympics as well as the International Team for the Presidents Cup and Day says he’s spotted the x-factor in Lee that sets him apart from most other professionals.
“The one real separator for Min is that he is not afraid of the situation that he’s in,” Day said.
“ If you put him in the spotlight or if you put him under the gun, he’s so happy to be there.
“It’s like his little sanctuary and that’s tough to teach. It’s very difficult to teach that grit and determination and that’s definitely what he has.”
Aussies got a ringside seat to Lee’s skill and mental toughness when he won last year’s Australian PGA championship at Royal Queensland with a brilliant display, carding rounds of 64, 66, 66, and 68 to finish three shots ahead of his nearest competitor at 20-under.
Back to defend his title this week, Lee’s biggest danger for the championship could well turn out to be Day, who will be back playing in his home state for the first time in seven years.
But while Day says the pair have become good mates, he also said their budding friendship will be put on temporary hold if they’re battling each other for the trophy on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m going to try and beat him,” Day said. “Don’t even go there. There’s no chance. We both know that if we’re competing against each other we’re trying to beat each other.
“But at the end of it, I’ll shake his hand and give him a hug and whoever wins, wins. We’re trying to beat each other’s brains in regardless, that’s just how it is.
“We’re competing. I’m trying to win. He’s trying to win, and the best person wins. As long as I give it my all and he gives it his all, that’s what really matters in the end but I’m hoping it’s me over him.”
Although they won’t get a slice of the profits, all the players have been given a seven-figure incentive to unleash the perfect shot at Royal Queensland’s ‘party hole.”
Already a massive hit with golf fans, the atmosphere at the par-3 17th will be even more electric this week after sponsor Dabble announced it would payout $1 million if anyone can make a hole-in-one during Saturday’s third round.
The catch for the players is that winnings will be shared among the spectators who are greenside.
“I love it, obviously,” Day said.
“That’s just another concept that brings in a different type of fan or viewer, someone that’s never been to the golf before that will go to the golf. Bringing more eyes is fine. I’m totally happy with that.
“Experiences like a party hole, that is so unique. We don’t really have too many of those in golf.
“It’s nice to have one, especially down in Australia because we know how Australians like to party. I’ll be doing my best then.”
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Originally published as Why Jason Day believes there’s another Aussie – Min Woo Lee – capable of being world No. 1
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