Why Min Woo Lee rocked a chef hat to celebrate his 2023 Australian PGA Championship victory (before he even won)
While Americans across the country celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, Min Woo Lee enjoyed some home cooking in his native Australia.
The 25-year-old from Perth shot a 3-under 68 on Sunday to win the 2023 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at 20 under Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane. Lee recently won the SJM Macao Open on the Asian Tour and last won on the DP World Tour at the 2021 Abrdn Scottish Open.
Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino (68) put up a fight but ultimately finished second at 17 under, with Aussies Marc Leishman (64) and Curtis Luck (69) in third and fourth at 16 under and 15 under, respectively. LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann (67) – who aced the par-3 4th hole – finished fifth at 13 under.
“I made it interesting early on and through the middle but I ended up hanging on and I’m really proud,” said Lee, who began the day with a bogey before he finished the front nine 5 under over his last six holes. Two birdies and three additional bogeys down the stretch were enough to hold off Hoshino.
One of the more outgoing characters in the game, Lee put on a chef’s hat on the 17th green to celebrate with fans and honor his “Let him cook” social media mantra that took off during the Players Championship. Imagine having that kind of confidence with a hole still to play. That’s Min Woo Lee.
Lee finished T-4 at last year’s Australian PGA, one of five top-10 finishes on the DP World Tour schedule in 2022-23 season. Over on the PGA Tour, Lee earned four top 10s in 14 starts in 2023, including a T-6 at the Players Championship and T-5 at the U.S. Open.
Check out the best photos of his wild celebration Down Under below.
Photos: Lee wins at home
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a…
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a chefs hat during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a…
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a chefs hat during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a…
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a chefs hat during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a…
Min Woo Lee of Australia interacts with the crowd on the 17th hole whilst wearing a chefs hat during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia celebrates victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship…
Min Woo Lee of Australia celebrates victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia reacts following his victory on the final day of the Australian…
Min Woo Lee of Australia reacts following his victory on the final day of the Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane on November 26, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton/AFP)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia reacts following his victory on the final day of the Australian…
Min Woo Lee of Australia reacts following his victory on the final day of the Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane on November 26, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton/AFP)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia takes part in the victory presentation after victory during day four…
Min Woo Lee of Australia takes part in the victory presentation after victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia celebrates victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship…
Min Woo Lee of Australia celebrates victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia poses with his parents Soonam Lee and Clara Lee after victory…
Min Woo Lee of Australia poses with his parents Soonam Lee and Clara Lee after victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2023 Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee of Australia poses with the Joe Kirkwood Cup after victory during day four…
Min Woo Lee of Australia poses with the Joe Kirkwood Cup after victory during day four of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 26, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/Lj283p4
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