Ahead of his Presidents Cup debut in Canada next week, Australia’s Min Woo Lee has produced a solid start to his appearance in a PGA Tour event in California that will have ramifications on his ability to play the main signature events in the US next year.
The 26-year-old sits in a tie for 10th at 7-under after the opening two rounds of the Procore Championships being held at the Silverado Resort in Napa, six strokes behind American Patton Kizzire.
Woo, who spoke earlier this week of his excitement at being selected as a captain’s pick by Canadian Mike Weir for the Presidents Cup to be held at Royal Montreal later this month, shot 3-under on Friday courtesy of some fine work with his short game.
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Fellow Presidents Cup captain’s nominees Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners also sit at 7-under, but US representatives Max Homa and Wyndham Clark both missed the 3-under cut in a blow to their confidence heading into the prestigious team’s competition.
Australian Jeffrey Guan, a junior prodigy who received a sponsors invitation to make his PGA debut, started in promising fashion when shooting a 3-under on the opening day but dropped back to even on the second day to also miss the cut.
Lee currently sits in 60th position in the FedEx Cup Fall and is vying to retain his place in the zone between 51st and 60th that would guarantee him entry into the first two signature events next season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
After posting three top 30 finishes in the US major events this season, Lee missed the cut at The Open before making his Olympics debut at The National in France.
He has endured a busy schedule since but said he was pumped to receive a call from Weir offering him a spot on the Presidents Cup team.
“I was in Vegas when I got that call — that is where I live now and practice — and it was just after a practice session and I got the phone call and it was a good one,” Lee said prior to the tournament beginning.
“It was not too long. It was a very cool call. I know it was tough for him to make those decisions and hopefully we go out there and give it our best.”
The Fremantle golfer said he is looking forward to tackling the US in North America alongside compatriots Jason Day, his Olympics teammate, and Adam Scott. The former world No.1s both ensured their spots in the signature events next year with top 50 finishes.
“I looked up to Jason and to Adam Scott a lot and I am sure I watched plenty of YouTube videos trying to swing it like them and putt like them and I still do,” Lee said.
“I ask lots of questions and they are both so willing to give out information and give out their wisdoms. They are obviously great golfers. No.1 in the worlds. Major champions. It is awesome.”
Lee, who nearly holed out from the rough when 90m out on the 6th hole at the Silverado Resort on Friday, believes that he can offer the length and flair off the tee that could assist the Internationals against the US.
“To be honest, looking at the team, every person in the team is very solid in their game, so if they want long drives in the rough, they will choose me,” he quipped.
“They are all good ball strikers and good putters, so I have a bit of freedom in this format when I play with them, if we play best ball. I’m excited. Those Aussies are amazing. They don’t have many flaws in their game, so I can go out there and play freely.”