Min Woo Lee, the 25-year-old Australian golfer, has a positive outlook despite missing out on most of the PGA Tour’s signature events for the 2024 season. While many veteran players have expressed frustration at not being included in these exclusive tournaments with large purses, Lee takes a different approach – he believes in playing better to earn his spot.
Lee has had a decent year so far, making the cut at The Players Championship and posting top-26 finishes at the year’s first three majors. However, he only participated in one of the eight signature events, finishing tied for 44th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March. The most recent signature event was the Travelers Championship held last weekend.
Although Lee has made 11 out of 12 cuts in 2024, he has only managed one top-20 finish – a runner-up at the Cognizant Classic. With a consistent streak of finishes between T21-T26, Lee arrived at the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week ranked 64th in the FedEx Cup Standings, which puts him outside the top 50 spots needed for guaranteed entry into next year’s signature events.
The PGA Tour’s qualification guidelines for these events have faced criticism, especially because five of them are no-cut events and the other three allow for a few sponsor exemptions. Despite this, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan mentioned that the guidelines are continually under review, emphasizing the opportunities for players to earn their way into these events through the Aon Swing 5 and the Aon Next 10.
Lee, although disappointed by missing out on most of the signature events this season, remains determined to improve his performance and secure his spot in the top 50. He recognizes the importance of playing well to meet the cutoff line by the end of the year.
Additionally, Lee is focused on qualifying for his first Presidents Cup team, highlighting the excitement and challenge of facing a strong American team in a match play format. He acknowledges the competitiveness of the American team and the need to perform at his best to secure a spot on the international team.
Overall, Lee’s positive attitude and commitment to improving his game despite setbacks in tournament participation showcase his resilience and determination to succeed in the world of professional golf.