Siblings dreaming of twin Min wins

Australian sport is littered with great sibling accomplishments. The Lees can join the list … if Min Woo’s golf ever matches the major deeds of his sister, Minjee.

Minjee Lee and Min Woo Lee high five ahead of the Australian Open Picture: Getty Images

The Chappells. Campbells. Waughs. Ellas. Kerrs. Konradses. Hugheses. Danihers. Mortimers. Famous siblings have contributed to the great Australian sporting yarn and now a couple of golfers can join the list – if little brother ever catches up to his more sage and accomplished sister.

Minjee Lee, 26, is the two-time major champion and world No. 3 heavily favoured to win her first Australian Open when the historic dual-gender tournament begins in Melbourne on Thursday. Min Woo Lee, 24, is ranked 61st in the world, bristling with potential and pure ball-striking prowess but he’s more of a dark horse for the national championship. Born and raised in Perth by Korean parents, Minjee was always the wise old soul and Min Woo was the textbook younger rascal – and nothing’s really changed.

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“I’m in hot form, so hopefully I can pip her this week,” he grins. “It would be nice to both be holding the trophy. That would be really cool. Our mindset going in is to enjoy it and have fun. The Australian crowd hasn’t had a tournament here in a while and we want to put on a show. We don’t get to see each other that much so just to put the band together is pretty cool. Then we can spend Christmas together. Both of us have had very good years … we’ll just give this one a hot crack.”

They wouldn’t be the first Lees to distinguish themselves – Brett and Shane Lee went all right in red and white-ball cricket – but twin Min wins in Melbourne would be thoroughly unique. They grew up hitting balls together but rarely cross paths these days because of conflicting international schedules. They’ll be in proximity on Thursday when Minjee tees off at 12.16pm followed by Min Woo at 12.49pm at the Victoria club. Family members will start by watching her, casting an eye on him.

Siblings Minjee Lee and Min Woo Lee joke at each other’s expense at media conference for the Australian Open Picture: Getty Images

“I actually haven’t played that much golf with Min Woo, to be fair, so just seeing him play and seeing him go about his business has been a really cool experience,” Minjee says. “He’s grown up a lot since the last time I played with him. It was pretty chill yesterday. We weren’t too serious. We leave the trash talk for off the course.”

Min Woo suggested they answer each other’s questions. So when Minjee was asked about her biggest rival at the Open, he pretended to be her and replied: “No one. Because I’m the best and I don’t have rivals. I won the US Open pretty easy. I was so confident, didn’t do any nerves. Young girls are coming through but I just like to have fun and win and dominate … I love him so much, he’s the best.”

Pretending to be her brother, Minjee laughed: “I’m pretty confident, you know.”

She would be more of a household name if she chased more limelight or had a more extroverted nature. Her two major triumphs have come in a truly global sport – by comparison, Ash Barty was the most recognisable athlete in the country for winning three tennis majors. “The Australian open, your national championship, is always really high on the list,” she said. “The previous Aussie Opens that I have played, I haven’t quite shown that as much, so hopefully I can settle the nerves and play well for me and the Australian crowd.”