Winner of the 2025 Houston Open and the 2021 Scottish Open, Australian golfer Min Woo Lee—nicknamed “The Chef”—reveals his secrets for driving, chipping, and warming up.
Min Woo Lee is one of the most spectacular golfers on the tour: an Australian with tremendous driving distance, known for his touch around the greens, and winner of the 2025 Houston Open on the PGA Tour and the 2021 Scottish Open on the DP World Tour. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, and his video lessons, in which he explains the techniques himself.
Who is Min Woo Lee?
Min Woo Lee is an Australian professional golfer, born on July 27, 1998, in Perth. Before turning pro, he won the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur, one of the major U.S. junior titles. Together with his older sister Minjee Lee, an LPGA Tour player and winner of the 2012 U.S. Girls’ Junior, they are the first brother and sister to have each won a USGA junior championship.
He turned pro in early 2019. His first victory came in February 2020 at the Vic Open, on home soil in Australia. In 2021, he won the Scottish Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the DP World Tour, after a three-way playoff. In late 2023, he followed that up with a win at the Macau Open on the Asian Tour—which he dominated from start to finish with a score of 30 under par—and then at the Australian PGA Championship.
His breakthrough in the U.S. came in March 2025: Min Woo Lee won the Texas Children’s Houston Open, his first PGA Tour title, by one stroke over Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland. That same season, he reached No. 22 in the world rankings. In 2026, he finished second at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Scottish Open, qualified for the TOUR Championship at East Lake for the first time—where he led after a first-round 62—and competed in his second Presidents Cup with the International Team.
Fans also know him by his nicknames, “The Chef” and “Dr. Chipinski,” and for his active presence on social media. In October 2026, he launched his own YouTube channel, featuring videos in which he answers fans’ questions and walks viewers through his warm-up routine.
Min Woo Lee's List of Achievements
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Victory on the PGA Tour | 1: 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open |
| Wins on the DP World Tour | 3: 2020 Vic Open, 2021 Scottish Open, 2023 Australian PGA Championship |
| Victory on the Asian Tour | 2023 Macau Open (30 under par) |
| Best result in a major | Tied for 5th place at the 2023 U.S. Open |
| Highest world ranking | 22nd (March 2025) |
| Presidents Cup | 2 appearances with the national team (2024, 2026) |
| Olympic Games | Tied for 22nd place at Paris 2024, at Le Golf National |
| Amateur title | 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur |
Min Woo Lee's Game
Min Woo Lee's Driver: Power for the Fade
Min Woo Lee is one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour, and in 2026 the tour ranked him among the top players off the tee in “strokes gained.” What stands out in his explanations is that he doesn’t prioritize distance at all costs: his go-to shot is a fade, which he knows how to tighten up to hit the fairway or let fly with a “full send” when the hole allows it. He’s also comfortable playing a draw when necessary, explaining the feel he’s looking for.
Min Woo Lee's short game: “Dr. Chipinski's” touch”
His nickname, “Dr. Chipinski,” is no accident: Min Woo Lee is known for his creativity around the greens. In his chipping lessons, he gets back to the basics—the quality of contact above all else, followed by choosing the right trajectory and roll based on the lie.
Min Woo Lee's Warm-Up and Strategy
On his channel, he breaks down his entire warm-up routine—from stretching to wedges and then to irons—including a tip on right-shoulder positioning that many amateurs say they’ve adopted. During a course walk filmed by the PGA Tour at the 2026 RBC Heritage, he comments on each of his shots: club selection off the tee, areas to avoid, and lines of play. It’s a true lesson in course strategy.
Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Min Woo Lee's lessons will soon be compiled on this page. In the meantime, here are the topics he covers: Driving, Speed, Power, and Distance, Draw or Fade, Wedge play: Pitching and Chipping, Warm-up and Course Management.
To learn more, check out the fact sheets on Rory McIlroy, with whom he shares a video on driver distance, from Scottie Scheffler, whom he beat in Houston, and his fellow countryman Adam Scott, a teammate on the Presidents Cup team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Min Woo Lee: Achievements, Game, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is Min Woo Lee?
Min Woo Lee was born on July 27, 1998, in Perth, Australia; he is 28 years old.
Has Min Woo Lee won on the PGA Tour?
Yes. He won the Texas Children's Houston Open in March 2025, one stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland. It was his first victory on the PGA Tour.
How many tournaments has Min Woo Lee won?
Five professional victories: the 2020 Vic Open, the 2021 Scottish Open, the 2023 Macau Open, the 2023 Australian PGA Championship, and the 2025 Houston Open.
What is Min Woo Lee's best finish in a major?
A tie for fifth place at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Why is Min Woo Lee nicknamed “The Chef”?
The nickname comes from “Let him cook,” his favorite Instagram caption, which his fans echo in unison, sometimes while wearing chef’s hats. He’s also known as “Dr. Chipinski” because of his skill at chipping.
Does Min Woo Lee have a YouTube channel?
Yes, he launched his official channel in October 2026. On the channel, he answers fans' questions and explains his warm-up routine.
Did Min Woo Lee compete in the Olympics?
Yes, he represented Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Golf Tournament, held at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, where he tied for 22nd place.
