Australian Open: Min Woo Lee’s epic 11kg weight gain transformation
When Aussie Min Woo Lee watched clips of his Australian Open campaign last year, he couldn’t believe what he saw. He reveals the insane body transformation he’s undertaken to beat the best.
MIN Woo Lee doesn’t have to look far for inspiration when it comes to strength and what it means for your golf game.
On Thursday morning he will be teeing off alongside Masters champion Rory McIlroy whose powerful muscle-bound physique has propelled him to world domination.
The Australian rising star is only now starting the journey of changing his body shape, aimed to propel his fortunes on the course.
He recently saw a replay of himself at last year’s Australian Open and was blown away with how “skinny” he looked compared to what he brings to the table at Royal Melbourne this week.
Lee has put on 11kg over the past 12 months and says he feels more stable with his swing as a result.
“Last year I got hurt, my knee just subluxed, just like a dislocation,” he said. “I literally rolled in bed and it popped out and I couldn’t bend down and read a putt last year at the Aussie PGA and the Aussie Open.
“That was probably the start of the team thinking that we should be stronger. I don’t know why I didn’t eat that much during that time, especially on the golf course. At the end of the Aussie Open I was 71 kilos and now I’m 82, so there’s a big difference between now and then.
“Even just seeing the replay of me on the big screen, it’s amazing to see how skinny I was. Just to get a lot more stable in my golf swing. And yeah, I feel pretty good. A little bit of pudding there, but I’ll try to cut that down although Christmas is coming up, so probably not, maybe after that.”
Even after his breakthrough PGA Tour win in Houston back in March, the 27-year-old noticed his lack of strength was a problem.
“It was a struggle after the win (in Houston), all the signature events in America were thick rough and you had to be accurate, I didn’t do that,” he said.
“So the next step was to get stronger and change my swing a little bit for that, and yeah, good signs right now.”
More time in the gym and a change in diet has been the catalyst for the bigger bulk.
“It’s a bit of both, a lot of just being aware of what I’m trying to eat and more protein. I’ve got a bit of a bulk but I’ll have to start the cut soon,” he said.
Lee, who finished fifth at last week’s Australian PGA, believes his form has picked up again after a slump following his breakthrough performance and is again looking towards McIlroy for inspiration given he had a similar let down following his Augusta success.
“The last couple months have been really good, trending really well,” the world No.42 said. “I think the results have been getting a little bit better and my approach play was something that I needed to get better at and it’s showing signs, so I’m very happy with that.
“The win (in Houston) was amazing. And then after that, even Rory said when he won the Masters afterwards, he didn’t really re-set his goals and I guess regroup and brief about what happened.
“You’re kind of on a high, so you’re disappointed with playing bad golf, but you’re still so happy with the win. I know my win wasn’t as significant as the Masters, but scale wise, I guess it was a dream of mine to win a PGA TOUR event.
“I probably didn’t do the best, slowing down a little bit after that, but happy to find my feet again and play some good golf.”
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Originally published as Australian Open: Min Woo Lee’s epic 11kg weight gain transformation
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