Hong Kong is a place brimming with talent and is a city that attracts intriguing people from all over the world. In our 27 Questions column, we get up close and personal with these notable personalities, learning about their whims and aversions, pivotal life moments, and hopes and dreams — all in roughly the same duration of a casual speed date. Our next segment of 27 Questions brings us to Min Woo Lee a.k.a. Chef Woozy, a professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.

Currently ranked 31 in the world, Min Woo Lee moved with his family from South Korea to Australia in the early 1990s and shares the love of golf with his older sister, Minjee Lee, who is also a professional golfer currently on the LPGA Tour. Known for this casual and fun approach to the game, Lee has won over the masses with his playful social media presence and impressive performance. While he’s not actually a culinary expert, the PGA golfer has been known to cook up a storm on the golf course, hence his nickname “Chef.”

Joining him in Macau just before the big tournament, we caught up with the lululemon ambassador to learn more about his return to the SJM Macau Open, how he approaches the game both on/off the course, and if the pressure is on to defend his title after taking home the trophy last year. The “Chef” played one of his best games in Macau in 2023 and even set a tournament record with a 30-under-par score.

Let him cook!

27 Questions: Min Woo Lee

 

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Name: Min Woo Lee, a.k.a. Chef Woozy
Age: 26
Neighbourhood: Perth, Western Australia / wherever golf takes him
Occupation: Professional golfer

1. Why do you like golf?

I like golf because I’ve played it from such a young age, and, there’s no ending to it. You can keep getting better at it. You never know how good you can be. So, it’s a challenge.

2. If not golf, what would you be doing?

Probably gaming. I’d be a streamer or a gamer.

3. What video games do you play?

I play Call of Duty.

4. What keeps you motivated?

Trying to, I guess, inspire the game. I love teaching and supporting the kids, you know, especially back at home. Yeah, trying to grow the game and, kids that look up to me, on social media and in the real world.

5. Do you remember what was going through your head when you officially went pro?

 It was it was it was a very cool moment. Obviously, you can now make money from something you’ve worked so hard in, so that was a pretty cool thing. As an amateur, you don’t make any money. So it was cool to have nice sponsors and, play some tournaments.

6. What is the most stressful thing about having a golf/sports career?

The travel is very tough. You got to travel to a different country nearly every week, so, that’s probably the toughest thing. And not being able to see family and friends. But there’s a lot of positives to golf, too.

7. What is your proudest achievement so far?

My proudest achievement would be probably winning the Scottish Open. That was a very big moment in my career. And also Ozzy, the Australian PGA at the end of last year. Winning at home was special.

8. Do you believe in hard work or talent?

Definitely hard work. I mean, I feel like I was pretty talented and am still pretty talented, but you know, that only gets you so far. So a lot of hard work needs to be done to play against the best in the world.

9. What is your favourite childhood memory?

Oh, I don’t know. That’s a tough one. Just probably being around at home in Australia, at my home club, and playing little competitions with my friends.

10. Who was your favourite athlete growing up?

Tiger Woods

11. Which moment in your life would you most like to relive?

I think winning the Australian PGA was very special. A lot of people were there to support me. I feel like I’ve done pretty well, and my life is pretty awesome. So just being able to live every day like it is, is pretty cool.

12. What is the current song on your playlist that amps you up?

I would say anything. Eminem is pretty cool. Drake as well. 

13. Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had?

I’ve had a coach for a long time now. Richie Smith from back home. He’s definitely helped me with my golf game and in life. So, Yeah, he’s my best coach.

14. What is one important lesson they taught you?

He’s taught me the most. Obviously, it’s just all golf stuff but he’s told me to just have fun and enjoy it. It’s tough traveling and being away from home. So, just enjoy it, have fun, and try to live in the present.

15. Who is your dream celebrity teammate for the celebrity golf tournament?

Steph Curry

16. When was the last time you felt starstruck?

Justin Bieber. Met him, earlier in the year. That was a pretty cool moment. 

17. What is your typical Sunday like?

Probably a bit of gaming, hanging out with the girlfriend, and chilling.

18. Why do they call you the Chef?

I don’t necessarily cook… once a year, probably, but I try to cook on the golf course, so that’s how I got “Let Him Cook” and “Chef.”

19. What’s your go-to post-training snack?

Some electrolytes. Coconut water is quite nice. Something hydrating. And then, Korean barbecue would be perfect.

20. What is something about professional golf that most people don’t know about?

I mean, I guess the travel was. Travel is tough. A lot of people are watching the game on TV, so it’s a bit different. You know, that’s one thing that we really miss is being at home and enjoying it, but we’re trying to make a living and trying to entertain everyone as well. It’s great, but it’s also tough on us. but it is fun.

21. When was the last time you were home? 

I would say I haven’t been home for over six months. I live in Australia, and I haven’t been back since the beginning of the year, so that’s, I don’t know, ten months?

22. What makes a good golf player?

That’s a hard question. I mean, you just got to be better than other people.

23. Best golf tip you can give someone just starting?

Have fun. It’s a tough sport. It’s not easy to play golf. so just be out there to enjoy it. Learn from a professional coach, and hopefully you can you can slowly get better. And be patient.

24. What’s your favourite food to eat in Hong Kong?

Dimsum. I love Dimsum. I mean, especially being in Asia, I try to eat as much dim sum as I can. There’s some good dim sum in Australia, but not as good as some of the places in Asia. Shumai is my favourite and I usually eat a lot at the buffets.

25. Do you think the global sentiments towards golf have changed since you were a kid vs now? 

Yeah. yeah. I think as a kid, you you look at it and, you know, you, you know, you watch him hit such good shots and, make some money. So I think it hasn’t really changed too much. But, you know, you grow up and learn a lot along the way, so, Yeah, it’s fun.

26. Growing up, how strict were you with your training and diet?

When I was a kid? Not really. Nothing special,  again, I just had a lot of fun when I was a kid and, still try to do that. I was really go-with-the-flow type of kid. I didn’t really. I worked hard, but I didn’t work that hard. I just, you know, I loved every other sport. But now I work hard.

27. What’s your next goal?

I  don’t know… I mean, to get my world ranking down is pretty special. Something like a Top 30 or Top 20 by the end of the year would be nice. Oh, and win a tournament or so in the next year.

Director/Editor: Ryan Putranto
B Cam: Samson De Guzman
Producer: Ambrose Leung

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