And though younger sibling Min Woo has been a bit sheepish about offering any advice to two-time major winner Minjee after his own medal-winning effort flopped, the 26-year-old has full faith in big sister bringing home a medal to Royal Fremantle.
“Of course, I’m backing her for a medal. She’s one of the best in the world over the last decade, and I think she’ll do just fine,” said Min Woo, patting the shoulders of Minjee at the lovely course 30 minutes drive east of Paris.
The pair chatted during the final round of the men’s event on Sunday, during which Minjee followed Min Woo around as he rallied to finish 22nd after his dismal first round 76.
When Min Woo was asked if he had any tips to pass on to Minjee about how to play the course, it brought a wry smile to her face, as she asked with mock incredulity: “Tips?”
Even Min Woo had to laugh. “I mean, I suppose I can tell her where not to hit it, after that first round.
“But she’ll go pretty well here. It’s a ball strikers’ course, she’s putting well, and tee-to-green you need to be pretty proper here. If you’re in the rough, you can get some smelly lies. So I think she’ll go well, just going out there and having fun.”
His only disappointment was that he wouldn’t be able to repay the compliment and support Minjee from inside the ropes because he had to jet off to the U.S for this week’s Wyndham Championships at Greensboro.
Minjee, seventh in Rio and 29th in Tokyo, is loving her third experience of Olympic golf, especially after its lukewarm return in Brazil and the sterile, crowd-free Games in Japan.
This time, her family’s been here. “It’s all pretty cool. Kind of surreal to watch Min Woo on the other side of the ropes as an Olympian. Then we’ve got mom and grandma’s cooking to enjoy, it’s so nice to have the family close by.”
“But she’ll go pretty well here. It’s a ball strikers’ course, she’s putting well, and tee-to-green you need to be pretty proper here. If you’re in the rough, you can get some smelly lies. So I think she’ll go well, just going out there and having fun.” – Min Woo Lee.
All she needs now is a timely upsurge in form. “I probably haven’t had the best finishes this year, I’ve only been in the top-10 like three times,” she shrugs, having dropped to No.13 in the rankings.
“I’ve had a little bit of equipment change here and there, I’m still tweaking. It was always going to be a little bit of a transition and take time to get used to but you never know, golf is golf and I’m just looking forward to this week.”
A better bet for a medal in the Karrie Webb-captained team may well be Hannah Green, who has two LPGA wins this season and the memory of a podium near-miss in Tokyo when she eventually finished fifth.
But they could all be chasing Nelly Korda, the defending champion seeking to emulate Scottie Scheffler by being the second U.S world No.1 to triumph.
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