Min Woo Lee, ranked 31st in the world, has committed to two of Australia's marquee summer golf events, a fortnight of competition on home soil that carries both the weight of past near-misses and the hope of a long-awaited 2026 victory. Between the Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes in late November and the Australian Open at Kingston Heath in early December, he will chase the Stonehaven Cup on the Sandbelt, a trophy he has twice come close to claiming. His season has been steady and productive yet still missing its decisive moment, and the events themselves reflect a wider effort to bin
Min Woo Lee Commits to Australian PGA and Australian Open, Setting Up Home-Soil Golf Fortnight
Twice third at the Australian Open, still hunting the Stonehaven Cup
Mark
Lee is playing both events back to back. Why does that matter?
Mimi
Because he's done this exact sequence before. In 2023 he won the Australian PGA, then went into the final round of the Australian Open tied for the lead and finished two shots from a playoff.
Mark
So the Stonehaven Cup is unfinished business.
Mimi
He says so himself. He's finished third twice and calls it a tournament he really wants to win.
Luke
Worth keeping that in proportion, though. Wanting it and being favoured are different things. The article gives no odds or form guide for Kingston Heath.
Mark
What about his season?
Mimi
Six top-10s, two runner-up finishes, a tied fourth at the Tour Championship. Strong, but no win yet in 2026.
Luke
And that's his own description of the game as solid. The numbers support it, but whether he gets hot at Kingston Heath is simply unknown.
Mark
The co-sanctioning deal came out at the same time. Is it connected to Lee?
Mimi
Kirkman used Lee as an example of what the partnership can do for Australian players, citing his Vic Open, Scottish Open and Australian PGA wins.
Luke
Note that it's an illustration, not a claim that Lee's attendance depends on the deal. The article doesn't say that.
Le Pouls
- Lee has confirmed he will play the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open, two back-to-back home-soil events, with his first win of 2026 still out of reach.
- He has twice finished third at the Australian Open, and a near-miss in 2023, one shot off the lead... two shots short of a playoff, keeps the pressure on this December.
- Kingston Heath's star-studded field, including Rory McIlroy, Sahith Theegala and Ryan Fox, turns the Sandbelt test into a serious challenge for Lee's form.
- A three-year extension of the co-sanctioned PGA deal signals a push to pull in international players, and the outcome of Lee's fortnight will show whether that bet pays off.
Min Woo Lee, ranked 31st in the world, has committed to two of Australia's marquee summer golf events, a fortnight of competition on home soil that carries both the weight of past near-misses and the hope of a long-awaited 2026 victory. Between the Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes in late November and the Australian Open at Kingston Heath in early December, he will chase the Stonehaven Cup on the Sandbelt, a trophy he has twice come close to claiming. His season has been steady and productive yet still missing its decisive moment, and the events themselves reflect a wider effort to bind international and local golf together in Australia.
Min Woo Lee has committed to Australia's two big summer golf events, and the second, the Australian Open, was confirmed this week. He will first play the Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes in Sydney from November 26 to 29, then head to Kingston Heath in Melbourne from December 3 to 6 for the Stonehaven Cup. Ranked 31st in the world, he will face a strong field there, including Rory McIlroy, Sahith Theegala and Ryan Fox.
Lee has come close at the Australian Open before. He has finished third twice, and in 2023 he went into the final round tied for the lead before ending two shots short of a playoff, just a week after winning the Australian PGA Championship. He says the Stonehaven Cup is a dream for every Australian golfer, especially on a Sandbelt course, and that he hopes this is the year he gets it done.
His 2026 season has been solid, with six top-10 finishes, two runner-up results and a tie for fourth at the Tour Championship, but he still lacks a win. He hopes to get hot at Kingston Heath and give himself a real chance.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland called Lee one of the most exciting players in world golf and said Australian fans love watching him. The news also came with an expanded partnership between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, which keeps the Australian PGA Championship co-sanctioned for three more years.
Min Woo Lee has put his name down for both of Australia's big summer golf events, and the second commitment, to the Australian Open, was made official this week. He will play for the Stonehaven Cup at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne from December 3 to 6. The week before, from November 26 to 29, he is committed to the Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. That makes a fortnight of golf at home.
Lee is ranked 31st in the world. At Kingston Heath he will be in a field that already includes Rory McIlroy, Sahith Theegala and Ryan Fox. The course is on Melbourne's Sandbelt, which is part of why the trophy appeals to him. "The Australian Open is a big one for us Aussies," he said, adding that winning the Stonehaven Cup is something every Australian golfer dreams about, especially on a Sandbelt course.
He has come close. Lee has twice finished third at the Australian Open. The most recent was in 2023, when he went into the final round tied for the lead and ended two shots short of a playoff. That result came only a week after he won the Australian PGA Championship, so he narrowly missed completing an Australian double. "I've come close a few times," he said, "so hopefully this can be the year I get it done." He called it one of the tournaments he most wants to win.
His 2026 season has been good without producing a win. Lee has six top-10 finishes, two of them runner-up results, and he tied for fourth at the Tour Championship. He described his game as solid, with some great results, and said the missing piece is a victory. He hopes to get hot at Kingston Heath and give himself a chance.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said Lee's participation is a major boost for the tournament. He called Lee one of the most exciting players in world golf, said Australian fans love watching him, and said Lee always brings plenty of energy to an event. With the quality of the field taking shape, Sutherland said he expects a terrific week at Kingston Heath.
The announcement came alongside news of an expanded partnership between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia. Under the deal, the BMW Australian PGA Championship will stay a co-sanctioned Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour event for another three years. The agreement is meant to attract international players to one of Australia's biggest tournaments while creating more opportunities for local golfers.
PGA of Australia Chair Ian Baker-Finch welcomed the arrangement, saying the major events let Australian players compete against world-class fields at home and showcase the sport to audiences here and abroad. PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman pointed to Lee as an example of the partnership at work. Lee won the co-sanctioned Vic Open in 2020, the Scottish Open in 2021 and the Australian PGA Championship in 2023. DP World Tour executive Ben Cowen said the event is a key launchpad for the Race to Dubai and that the tour is pleased to open its season with it again.
The next test for Lee comes at The Lakes in late November, then at Kingston Heath a week later, where he will look for his first win of the year and a Stonehaven Cup.
Citations marquantes
I've come close a few times, so hopefully this can be the year I get it done.— Min Woo Lee
Min Woo is one of the most exciting players in world golf, and Australian fans love watching him play.— James Sutherland, Golf Australia CEO
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