THE 151ST OPEN

July 21, 2023

Min Woo Lee

Mixed Zone

Q. You're right back in it.

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah.

Q. You've got to be pleased with that.

MIN WOO LEE: Very pleased. Pity on the last didn't make a birdie, but other than that, it's been a really good day. Slow start. Bogeys on 3 and 4. Made a really nice eagle on 5.

Hit a 3-wood to like four feet on the par-5 and knocked it in for eagle and that kind of got things going. Really happy with the way things went.

Q. You were saying there was going to be one week where you put it all together. Maybe this is the one?

MIN WOO LEE: Hopefully. Like I've been doing, not getting ahead of myself and just keep playing. It's going to be tough this afternoon and tough for the weekend. It is getting drier. Those last few holes you can definitely see. Yeah, it'll be a good challenge.

Q. What's got you feeling so comfortable on the major stages?

MIN WOO LEE: I don't know. I'm trying to figure that out myself. I don't know. I guess I lock in a bit more and I just enjoy the challenge. That's definitely what it is.

I think I play good on pretty tough courses, and it's just that par putt or that momentum shot. I love doing that and just keep moving forward. On easier courses if you make a bogey you're going two steps back, so it's nice when there's not too many birdies and you can just grind it out.

Q. There was a few that got away?

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I had a six-footer, seven-footer on 2, just missed it short left with not much speed on the putt.

And then same with the last hole, same thing. Just a little bit less speed and I thought it was a bit straighter.

There was a couple I left out but there was also a couple that I made, so it balances out.

Q. There were a couple of early bogeys, as well, so you played 5-under for the last 10 holes or so.

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, it was obviously really cool. Played really good from there. Made eagle on the hole after the two bogeys, so just a lot of momentum, which was nice.

Q. How do you prepare for the weather this weekend? What's the worst you've ever played in do you think?

MIN WOO LEE: I think last week at the Scottish Open, that was pretty windy, that or Vic Open when I won.

On Thursday that was pretty hectic. Just the same as any other day. I'm not going to change the way I do anything. I just go out there and play and just keep my head straight and hopefully hit some good shots.

Q. What will you do between now and probably a late tee time tomorrow?

MIN WOO LEE: Just hang out. Didn't get much sleep last night. Just a quick turnaround I think for everyone, so just hang out and have a nice dinner and sleep and just stay happy and be relaxed.

Q. (Regarding viral video.)

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, it's been amazing, the last few months, last six months have been amazing. Definitely made me play a bit better. Everywhere there's a crowd, I have been playing pretty good.

The video is two of the guys out on the PGA TOUR, they help me out with content. They have the ideas, and it's all credit to them. I'm just making a caption and posting it, and I guess swinging the club.

It's quite nice to have someone with a bit of vision and have a bit of humour, as well, when I make a video, so it's cool.

Q. (Indiscernible).

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, it's all fun and games. I'm trying to play good and also have fun with the crowd.

Q. Do you give any feedback?

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, definitely. If I don't like it I tell them. I'm trying to make myself look as good as I can and them trying to help me out, as well.

So far, so good. They haven't thought I was too ugly or anything, so it's all good.

Q. Harrison was saying he was amazed how the crowds have taken to you. Has it you surprised you yourself, hearing the Min Woo cries?

MIN WOO LEE: No. I've been in America and it's been five times louder. It's definitely nice. After every shot someone is cheering me on and trying to get me going after I make a bogey or so, so it definitely helps.

It's been amazing.

Q. Why do you think you've captured their imagination?

MIN WOO LEE: Just some fun social media presence. A lot of other golfers are just golf, golf, golf, and I like to have fun.

I've always been pretty active on social media, so it's quite nice to play well and get a following, too.

Q. Do you feel that's an important part of your role as a pro golfer?

MIN WOO LEE: I think so. I think for me, because I like the attention and I like to feed off the crowd. I think it's definitely -- at the end of the day, if you play well, you're going to have crowds, so you might as well have them on your side.

Hopefully I don't get cancelled anytime soon, but I'm just trying to have fun and have the crowd going with me.

I'm just trying to put a smile on their face and also hit good shots.

Q. Do you feel like you're at your best when you're having fun on the golf course?

MIN WOO LEE: For sure, yeah. When I get too serious I don't play well, so just go out there and have fun.

Q. If you end up getting paired with someone like Rory tomorrow, the crowds out there for him are crazy, is that something you'll sort of thrive on?

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I think so. I haven't played with Rory ever. I've played with Scottie at THE PLAYERS and that was pretty crazy. The crowds were unbelievable, probably the most I've ever played in front of.

I'll see how it is. It's been a while since I've played with someone that had a bigger, I guess, social media presence or loving with the crowd. It'll be another challenge for sure, but that's part of it.

Q. So the secret is this weekend you're going to have fun whatever?

MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, for sure. I've been playing good golf, so might as well keep smiling and try to do my best.