Wild scenes as Min Woo Lee stamps arrival with PGA victory

Min Woo Lee was already a popular, emerging golf talent, but on Sunday he worked the crowd and hit a whole new level of stardom.

Min Woo Lee was already a popular, emerging golf star, but on Sunday he Viking-clapped his way to legendary status.

The 25-year-old controlled this week’s Australian PGA Championship virtually from start to finish.

Watch every round of the PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. Join now and start streaming instantly >

Yes there were some challenges along the way, with his three-shot overnight lead quickly removed by eventual runner-up Rikuya Hoshino early in Sunday’s final round.

But Lee was far from fluttered, steadying himself to re-establish a comfortable cushion, capped by a chip-in eagle at the ninth hole.

The fact Lee was donning a chef’s hat and getting the crowd to participate in a Canberra Raiders’ style Viking clap with a hole to play sums up the scene at Royal Queensland.

Min Woo Lee Viking clapped his way to a popular victory at Royal Queensland. Photos: Getty Images

In a sport still personified by polite applause and sensible slacks, even considering the loud emergence of the LIV Tour, Lee’s arrival has injected a breath of fresh air into the local scene.

Yes, he still has a way to go to put his name up with the great golfers in Australia’s storied history in the sport, but he is making undeniable progress.

Already with three professional titles to his name, including a drought-breaking win at last month’s Macau Open, Lee shot four rounds in the 60s to finish 20-under and three shots ahead of Hoshino for a fourth tournament win.

Marc Leishman finished third, while Adam Scott’s long drought continues after he finished outright sixth on 12-under.

West Australian Lee unveiled the Viking clap during Saturday’s third round at the par three 17th, dubbed the Southern Comfort Party Hole.

He replied to a video of that moment from the DP World Tour’s social team with the caption: “Love you Australia.”

love you australia https://t.co/km3a2JQSIq

— Min Woo Lee (@Minwoo27Lee) November 25, 2023

“And Australia loves you!” was one reply. “Let’s cook tomorrow.”

The sports phrase “let him cook” has been adopted by Lee, often accompanying his own social posts with a chef emoji.

“We clearly love you back!!!” was another reply.

“All aboard the Min Woo train,” wrote a third.

A tournament that suffered a body blow when defending champion Cam Smith shockingly missed the cut need not have worried about a grand finale as Lee came prepared on Sunday.

With a comfortable four-shot lead, Lee produced a chef hat and slipped it over his golf cap before again getting the crowd to clap, mostly in sync.

The PGA of Australia posted the video with an apt caption: “Dinner is served.”

Dinner is served 👨‍🍳#AusPGA | #visitbrisbane | #thisisqueenslandpic.twitter.com/9VJ5oEAD7F

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 26, 2023

“I made it interesting early on and through the middle, but I ended up hanging on so I’m really proud,” Lee said.

“I knew I just needed to keep playing well and do my thing and I did.”

Did he ever.

Lee and his sister, two-time major winner Minjee Lee, have a fun, competitive streak going when it comes to Australian golf ascendancy.

While his big sister holds a clear lead with 13 tournament wins worldwide and those two majors, Lee is doing his best to close the gap.

Lee had an eye-popping year of major golf play in 2023, finding himself in contention and ending up with a tied-fifth at the US Open, tied-14th at the Masters and tied-18th at the PGA.

“Best thing to happen to Australian golf in decades,” was another comment to the chef’s clap video on Sunday.

Let’s just hope the man keeps cooking.