Min Woo Lee to return for Australian Open golf

World top-50 star Min Woo Lee is a confirmed starter for the second dual-gender Australian Open golf championship in Sydney this summer.

MIN WOO LEE.
MIN WOO LEE. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Golf excitement-machine Min Woo Lee is returning to Sydney for the 2023 Australian Open.

The world No.47 is one of the first PGA Tour stars to commit to this year's second edition of the dual-gender Open being co-hosted by the neighbouring Australian and Lakes clubs.

Lee has enjoyed a spectacular year, highlighted by securing US PGA Tour status with a string of impressive results, including a top-five finish at the US Open and top 10s in The Players Championship and Travelers Championship.

On the DP World Tour, he finished second in the HSBC Championship and currently sits fifth in the Race to Dubai standings.

A past winner of the Vic Open, the 25-year-old is chasing his first victory in one of the Aussie majors.

Lee finished third in last year's Australian Open behind Poland's Adrian Meronk and fellow Aussie Adam Scott, after sharing fourth the week before at the national PGA Championship.

Lee will join DP World Tour and PGA Tour winner Lucas Herbert, and LPGA Tour star Stephanie Kyriacou at this year's Open, which will again feature a joint men's and women's tournament format.

The Australian All Abilities Championship will be contested on the same golf courses at the same time.

The dual Australian Opens will carry a minimum of $3.4 million prize money.

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland predicted Lee's unique flair and outgoing personality will be a big hit when the player comes back home this summer.

"Min Woo Lee is one of the most exciting golfers in the world, and we are thrilled to see him back," Sutherland said.

"A fantastic ambassador for our game, Min Woo continues to take the game head-on and this approach resonates strongly with his growing number of fans here and overseas."

The Open will be held from November 30 to December 3, with Lee's dual major-winning sister Minjee among other big names being targeted for a return.