Min Woo Lee has a huge following as a ‘social golfer’. But is one of his characters holding him back?

Since emerging as a world-class talent and going pro in 2019, Lee has been known for his long-driving and accurate putting. But his driving accuracy and approach game – the ability to hit the green with long irons and woods – have been far more inconsistent.

In the 2025 PGA Tour season, Lee was ranked 14th for driving distance (286m), 12th for strokes gained around the green, and a credible 55th for strokes gained in putting. But Lee was also ranked 150th for driving accuracy (55%), and 143rd in strokes gained (approach). His green-in-regulation percentage is 65%.

Hence the frequent doctor calls.

“For sure that’s one of those things I have to get better in,” Lee says. “There’s times where (if) the approach play is good I can compete, but if not, then you can’t compete with the best in the world.

“All the guys that are the greatest in the world … the approach play numbers are really good. That’s something that I’ve had to work on and I’m not shy of talking about it.”

When it comes to ball-striking, the top-ranked player on the PGA Tour in strokes gained (approach) is Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1.

“It’s great having all that, all the other (strengths) and that helps me,” Lee said. “But that (approach accuracy) is something I’ve tried to work on over the last couple years, and it’s a big deal. But (it is) slowly, slowly going upwards.”

Success might mean fewer house calls, but Lee isn’t interested in shuttering Dr Chipinski’s clinic just yet. And nor is Lee keen on scaling back social media work to pour all waking hours into golf, as some pundits have suggested is necessary for Lee to go from world No.46 to being a top 10 player and a contender at majors.

“There’s a lot of pressures on doing social media and playing good golf,” Lee said.

“It does suck to not play good golf and you’re posting hype videos and stuff. But I don’t mind the pressure, I’ve dealt with it pretty good. It does have a toll on me sometimes when I don’t play good golf, but I think it’s a lot about the journey, and the company and I’ve made so many good friends.

“I wouldn’t change it really. Yes, I could play golf just seriously and move on. But I like to have a bit of fun and make the world a little bit better.”

He’d won big tournaments before, like the Australian PGA and the Scottish Open, but Lee’s breakthrough win at the Houston Open in March was his first on the PGA Tour. It ensured he had his biggest earning year to date, with $6.13m, and allowed the popular youngster to prove he could walk the talk.

But disappointing showings in the majors and the PGA Tour’s big-money Signature Events, and missing the FedEx Cup playoffs by finishing outside the Top 50, left a sour taste. It prompted Lee to re-work his swing in the last few months ahead of the Australian summer.

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“The win was huge. Overall the consistency was not amazing,” he said. “So A-plus for the win but I would say, a C or D (for the year).”

Despite rumours of being a target for LIV Golf, Lee has no plans to leave the PGA Tour. Hoisting more big trophies at home is the next big goal. The Australian PGA Championship is at the end of the month, and the Australian Open – with Rory McIlroy in the field – is early December in Melbourne.

Lee is hoping to re-capture his form in 2023, when he, the Chef and the Doctor joined forces to fire up galleries, win the PGA and then almost did the double at the Australian Open, before finishing third.

“It’s going to be exciting,” he said. “Obviously (McIlroy’s) game is wonderful, with not many weaknesses, and around Royal Melbourne, it’s gonna be very cool.”