Korean Lee Looks to Emulate Ex-AAC Rival

San Diego, United States: ‘KH’ Lee Kyung-hoon vividly remembers competing against Hideki Matsuyama during his amateur days. Back then, the slender Japanese stood out due to his raw talent and also for his tremendous work ethic, pounding golf balls for hours at the practice range.

It’s a lasting memory that has helped shape Lee’s own golf career.

As the Korean prepares for his third US Open at Torrey Pines this week, the 29-year-old knows only too well that he needs to keep practicing hard if he’s to emulate Matsuyama’s Major success.

Two months ago, Matsuyama, who is six months younger than Lee, triumphed at the Masters Tournament, becoming only the second Asian Major winner after YE Yang (PGA Championship, 2009).

Seeing a fellow Asian rewrite golf history has served as added motivation for Lee, who first met Matsuyama when the Japanese ace won the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC). Lee finished tied fourth, 11 shots behind his Japanese rival.

“I was very impressed with how Hideki won the Masters. I was very happy as we have played with each other since our amateur days and I have gotten to know him. He is very humble and he practices a lot. He is a hard worker and his win has motivated me and other Asian golfers. I think maybe next time, I will win a Major. It was nice to see him do it,” said Lee.

Lee is also known for spending between 12 to 15 hours a day at the range back home to sharpen his game. The toil finally paid off with his first PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Byron Nelson in May.

He qualified for the US Open in 2014 and 2019 but missed the cut on both occasions. His other Major appearance came at last month’s PGA Championship, where he also failed to make it through to the final two rounds.

Lee took last week off to rest up in his Lake Nona home and knuckle down on some final preparation for what he expects to be a severe test at Torrey Pines, which last hosted the US Open in 2008 – the year Tiger Woods secured a famous victory. Torrey Pines also hosts the Farmers Insurance Open annually on the PGA Tour.

“I’m very excited about the week. Previously, I have prepared for Majors the same way. But since I have now played in a few more, I don’t think my preparation can be like usual. The golf course is very different, and course strategy will be different. It is crucial to know the course and prepare more than before. My preparation started last week,” he said.

“On my two occasions at the US Open, I feel like they try to test every player to their limits. They test how much players prepare with their tough set-ups. It is important to hit the driver well to keep the ball on the fairway. I’ll need to focus on my short game and putting. That can make a difference between the winner and the rest,” said Lee.

With the PGA Tour’s Regular Season concluding in August, Lee’s other main goal for 2021 is to qualify for the FedEx Cup Play-offs’ finale, the Tour Championship, which is exclusive to the top-30 players. He currently ranks 33rd on the points list.

“I have never achieved this before and now that I’m in a good position, I’ll give it my best. Another goal obviously is to play well in the Majors, including this week’s US Open,” he said.

Other Koreans in the field this week include Im Sung-jae, Kang Sung and three-time PGA Tour winner Kim Si-woo. The best finish by a Korean player in the US Open was by YE Yang when he finished tied third in the 2011 edition. Im finished 22nd at Winged Foot last year to emerge as the leading Korean.