How Aussie cult hero’s ‘famous friends’ helped turn his career around
It wasn’t all that long ago Aussie PGA Tour star Min Woo Lee was a just a lad from Perth trying to hit the big time in one of the most competitive individual sports on the planet.
Now, he’s fast becoming one of the most high-profile Australian athletes, with a strong following of international fans, and regularly rubs shoulders with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. This week he was courtside watching friend and NBA megastar Steph Curry.
Min Woo Lee with NBA superstar Steph Curry and F1 ace Lewis Hamilton. Instagram/@minwoo27lee
"I'm just very intrigued with how they go about their business," he told Australian media on Wednesday.
"I was there watching Steph warm up, and I just have a smile on my face because it's unbelievable how this guy does not miss, and he's like shooting off one leg and spinning around and just being stupid … just hooping everything.
“I learn stuff from this, and I see a little bit of myself in Steph. I’m trying to keep it fun, and I’m (still) trying to be the best player in the world. You can do it while being locked in, but also while enjoying it, talking with people.”
Lee gave Hamilton an on-course lesson through a mutual ambassadorship with fashion brand Lululemon.
While Hamilton is at the beginning of his golf journey, Curry is an accomplished golfer and briefly played on the Korn Ferry Tour – the second rung beneath the PGA Tour.
"I have famous friends … and it is very cool. They all love golf, and I think I have a personality that they like," Lee continued.
“A lot of golfers are very to themselves, and I’m kind of not like that – I like to branch out.”
He said hanging around those kinds of figures, and watching the discipline with which they go about their craft, is having a massive impact on how he goes about his own game.
Only in the past couple of years has he really understood it.
“When I first turned pro ... I didn’t really incorporate it to my game,” he said.
"Now, the more I trust myself in my game, I just want to showcase that more, practice harder, practice smarter … just be like Steph in his sport.
“I feel like this year has been a very big turnaround from last year. I’m playing some good golf at courses I haven’t played good at before, and (not) dreading to go back to that course, and actually finishing really well.
"I think that put some belief in myself, and my team, which is great."
Lee has six top-10 finishes in 2026, including second place finishes at Scottish Open (outright) and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am (tied).
He has now committed to returning home to play both the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.
"I should be shutting golf off completely, but just thinking on the plane from India and I had this motivation to win down in Australia," he said.
"That's like the only thing this year that I really want to do. If I don't get it, fair enough, but you know, I think the mindset, just that mindset switch of, you know, we're there to win.
"I'm very keen to show what I've got. I feel like I've proven that I can hit shots when I need to. Let's just try to do it more."
Min Woo Lee in action during Sunday singles in the Presidents Cup. Getty Images
Lee’s trip to India to play in the inaugural India Championship on the European PGA Tour ended prematurely. He was forced to withdraw with a minor back injury, but insisted he’ll be fine to go for the Australian swing.
The Australian PGA will be held at The Lakes in Sydney from November 26-29, before focus turns to the Australian Open at Kingston Heath a week later.
