Minjee Lee starts her season among the favorites for the ISPS HANDA Vic Open. The Australian is very proud to begin her 2019 season as the first Australian player to receive the Greg Norman medal for her 2018 season. An honor that places her among Australia's top players on the world stage.

Minjee Lee is delighted to start the season as medalist Greg Norman

Minjee Lee - Photo: DR

Returning to Australia for the start of the season, Lee joins the ISPS HANDA Vic Open this week at 13th Beach Golf Links for what will be her first tournament since receiving the prestigious medal last November.

Awarded to the best professional on the Australian circuit on the international scene based on their annual success, Lee is the first woman to win this award since its creation in 2015.

"Yes, it's a great honor"said Lee.

“It was really special for me, being the first woman to win this award. "

“It is a great honor for me to represent women and to be recognized for my performance last year. "

Lee's season was the best of the Australian male and female contingent playing around the world in 2018, which includes victories at the Vic Open and LPGA Volvik Championship at Travis Pointe Country Club Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“I had a great season last year. I won twice and I think I lived through some important moments of my career so yes it was a great year ”added the defending champion of the week.

“I had a lot of fun playing and I hope this year will be even better. "

Currently ranked sixth in the world rankings, Minjee believes that a more saroutin-focused approach to her game will help her become a better player in 2019.

“I try not to put numbers in the ranking. "

"I think the closer you are to first place in the world, the more you can play with your goals. "

"Then if you reach them, I think you will end up getting closer to that number one spot in the world." "

“I will obviously always work hard to give the best of myself and to try to achieve the challenges that I have set for myself every day, so that I hope to be able, one day or another, to obtain this first place. in the coveted world ranking "

Having grown up watching great Australian champions, Lee's name is now synonymous with the best Australian golfers, including Jason Day (2015 and 2016) and Marc Leishman (2017), winners of previous awards.

“I don't know if I'm technically better than everyone else, but it's pretty cool to have the honor of being Medalist Greg Norman. "

“I know these guys are really good athletes too, so it's cool to be around them. "

Despite the praise, Lee insists the home event won't add further pressure as she looks forward to tackling the ISPS HANDA Vic Open tournament like everyone else on her schedule.

"The Vic Open has always been a special tournament where you have to come back and, of course, play"added Lee.

“Yeah, I love coming and playing in Australia, so the Vic Open and obviously the Australian Open are really big events for me. I always go to all tournaments and see them pretty much the same. "

"I'm just trying to play my own game and not think about anything else"

Lee will start at the ISPS HANDA Vic Open at the 13th Beach Golf Links this Thursday, February 7, 2019.