A chip-in birdie on his final hole was the perfect way to end a brilliant opening round of seven-under for Min Woo Lee in his debut as a fully-fledged US PGA Tour player in California.
The Australian world No.37 has begun 2024 with significant expectation after going close to securing an Australian tournament double at the end of 2023, winning the PGA and coming third in the Open.
Having earned full-time playing status in the US for the first time, Lee made his 2024 debut on Friday morning (Australian time) at the American Express event in California where two 10-under rounds of 62 from Masters winner Zach Johnson and Swede Alex Noren set the scoring pace.
Out among the later starters on the Nicklaus Tournament Course in La Quinta, Lee poured in eight birdies, including five on his back-nine and the chip-in at the last to card a seven-under 65, which was only good enough for 14th spot.
While he has playing status for weekly tour events, Lee knows he need good results to get in to some of the “Signature” PGA Tour events where prize money triples from the $12.5 million on offer this week.
The second one of the year is the Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the end of January, where the prize pool hits $30 million.
“Yeah, for sure. Playing good golf, obviously, will be the priority, and that will be a bonus if I can get them,” he said.
“But I’m pretty happy and grateful that I’m already here and playing on the PGA Tour in events like these. Yeah, it’s nice to have a, I guess, Tour card out here and, yeah, hopefully, I can get into some of those top elevated events and play with the best and, yeah, I’ll strive towards that.”
Jason Day was the next best Australian behind Lee, opening with a four-under 68, as did countryman Cam Davis.
