MINJEE LEE
AUSTRALIA’S highest-ranked female golfer is one of the most consistent players on the planet, regularly posting top-10 results and amassing more than US$6 million in career earnings.
Here, the West Aussie reveals her ultimate goal, how she plans to lift more trophies, her admiration for tennis legend Serena Williams and which major she would like to win the most.
You’re building quite an impressive career. What are some of your biggest ambitions? My greatest goal, well my ultimate goal, is to get into the World Golf Hall of Fame. But I’ve got to win some majors first. I’ve come close plenty of times but haven’t quite got there yet. You really need to find yourself in contention on the final day … Even if you’re a couple of shots behind, you always have a chance. You need to make sure you don’t give up. I read something recently about just trying your best – and I think that’s all you can really judge yourself on at the end of the day.
Which major would you like to win the most? Oh, the US Open for sure. That’s always been the one. Ever since I was young and starting golf, that’s always been the tournament that I’ve wanted to win. I mean, outside of the Aussie Open and my sponsor events, anyway. But the US Open is definitely my number one major and I would love to win that.
Who are two people you’ve always wanted to meet? Serena Williams and Tiger Woods. I think Serena is just the most powerful, strong woman and she’s done everything! She’s won majors, she’s had a kid, she’s got her own line of clothes and she’s just so cool. And Tiger … Obviously everybody wants to meet Tiger.
What are your biggest hobbies outside of golf? Well, right now I’m really into reading and Netflix. I’ve been watching lots of Korean stuff on Netflix because they’ve been adding lots of movies. But you wouldn’t know them even if I told you and I can’t actually remember the Korean names of the shows (laughs).
You’re obviously recording plenty of top-10s. What’s the trick to your incredible consistency? I think you just have to be consistent with everything in your game. You can’t have too much fluctuation in your full shots, or your chipping or your putting. I think having consistency across those three parts of your game will get you into contention most weeks out here. But you need to have a strong mental game, too.