Another ISPS Handa Vic Open trophy has found its way to the Lee family trophy case. This time, Min Woo, 21, Lee earned a breakthrough European Tour victory at the event in Victoria, Melbourne.
The unique Vic Open features two tournaments running simultaneously on the same course for equal prize money. That means that Min Woo’s older sis Minjee, 23, was on hand to see big brother hoist the trophy.
Minjee finished tied for sixth, two shots out of the playoff that Hee Young Park eventually won. A five-time winner on the LPGA, Minjee won the Vic Open both in 2014 and 2018.
“I was super, super proud of him. It was really cool to just even be here with him and even watch him the last two holes. Just to see him play, I haven’t really seen him play that much, so to be able to have a win here is really cool.”
More: Hee Young Park wins first LPGA title in six years
Scores: ISPS Handa Vic Open
Min Woo turned professional just over a year ago after a successful amateur golf career.
Sunday’s victory at 13th Beach Golf Links was a testing one with the wind coming on strong in the final round. Min Woo closed with a 4-under 68 – which included three birdies in his first four holes plus a closing birdie at No. 18 – to reach 19 under for the tournament.
That was good enough to leave him two shots ahead of New Zealander Ryan Fox, who had posted a final-round 64 that vaulted him six shots up the leaderboard. He ultimately had to settle for second.
A three-way tie for third at 14 under included Robin Sciot-Siegrist, Marcus Fraser and Travis Smyth.
This is Min Woo’s fourth European Tour start this season. His previous best European Tour finish came in December when he was third at the Australian PGA Championship. The ISPS Handa Vic Open is just his 19th event on this tour.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Vic Open, it’s the home open. Especially as it’s the European Tour, it’s big. I’m over the moon.”
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