Following the Rory McIlroy-Jordan Spieth blueprint, an inspired Min Woo Lee is hunting a breakthrough Australian Open triumph that can propel the Perth prodigy into 2027 major championship contention.
Lee has returned home from a stellar PGA Tour season brimming with belief and already dreaming of lifting the Stonehaven Cup some five weeks out from his national championship in Melbourne from December 3-6.
While he fell just short of capturing a second PGA Tour crown, the 28-year-old recorded two seconds, a third and a fourth in the season-ending Tour Championship among six top-10 finishes in 2026.
Now the 2023 Australian PGA Championship winner hopes to complete a rare career double of the Australian summer majors in what he feels could prove a launching pad for next year's Masters, US Open, British Open and US PGA events.
McIlroy and Spieth both credit Australian Open victories in 2013 and 2015 respectively for helping the superstars each win two majors the ensuing year, and Lee knows what a confidence boost he too could gain from lifting the Stonehaven Cup at Kingston Heath.
"It's a big deal. We all want to win any tournament we play, but it just propels you into a great start to the next year," Lee said.
"If we play great there, win a trophy there, it does give you a great mindset going into 2027, and (you are) a bit more freer and if we play freer, we all play good.
"So it's definitely in everyone's head when they start the year. It's nice to have a good headspace."
Lee had to withdraw from last week's Indian Open with back spasms and apparent 'Delhi belly' but injury and illness hasn't sapped his motivational levels one iota.
"Even when I should be shutting golf off completely, I'm just thinking on the plane from India and coming back with what felt like a broken back - I couldn't really even go to my putting stand - but I had this motivation to win down in Australia and play good golf," said the world No.31.
"That's the only thing this year that I really want to do and if I don't get it, fair enough, but just having that mindset switch of we're there to win. I'm looking forward to next year already.
"I'm very keen to show what I've got and I feel like I've proven that I can hit shots when I need to. Let's just try to do it more."
Already boasting five worldwide victories, Lee knows putting four rounds together remains the key to getting his hand on more trophies and at least contending on Sundays.
"I think it all comes down to experience. It's a million dollar question. Everyone wants to do it, but it seems like I just have an off day of putting or off day of driving," he said.
"I'm not that type of player to hit every shot perfect and this year has been a big learning curve. Although it hasn't been four rounds together, that one round hasn't been as bad.
"It's been maybe a level par or one under instead of a five under, but it's not getting me out of contention that much, and I think the good results have come from that.
"So another year under my belt of doing that will help me next year. Mentally, I'm slowly getting to where I want to and the game is getting to where I want to."
