In today announcing his return to Royal Queensland for the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship from November 24-27, the 24-year-old declared his intention to use victory as a springboard for overseas success as the last great champion Australian Smith.

“There’s a story of players who won in Australia at the end of the year and really boosted their careers,” Lee said.

“Cam Smith won the Open, it was amazing and it shows how hard he worked. He’s done so well the last two years. I’m trying to follow in those footsteps and try to work on the good ones. things.

“Every week has an impact, so you want to do the right things and not have too many problems around your golf life and outside. It’s time to dig in and get good results.

Smith (2017 and 2018) is a two-time Joe Kirkwood Cup winner, with his wins proving to be a crucial step in his journey to major glory, the Presidents Cup, the Olympics and winning tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Scott is another who has won the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship twice (in 2013 and 2019) and Lee draws on the wisdom of the 2013 Masters champion on each occasion.

“I obviously admired him and I ask him as many questions as I can. He is very open and he took me under his wing a little. I think he knew me before I went on tour and he gave me the confidence to not change too much and just play my own game,” Lee said.

“He’s a good friend. I hang out with him at the golf course and go out to dinner with him. It’s really cool. Someone you look up to and can spend time with.

“I try to hang out with him as much as possible and pick his brain. He is very good with me.

Early in Scott’s professional career he juggled European commitments and American opportunities like Lee does now and the Western Australian is learning to find a consistent rhythm.

He produced eye-catching performances in major championships – T14 at the Masters (including a front nine 30 on Sunday), T21 at the Open and T27 at the US Open – but failed to progress until the weekend. in his seven starts. on the PGA Tour this year.

“I’m happy because I played well in the majors, which are the most important tournaments in golf,” Lee said.

“I would have liked to play a little better in the regular PGA Tour events to be able to get my card, but that’s how it was when I first came out on the DP World Tour. It was tough. You don’t you’re used to none of the classes and after a year, taking the same classes again, you’re much more comfortable.

“I hope I can have the same opportunity next year and play better. It was also a revelation because the courses were more difficult and the players were really good. Obviously the best players in the world, you face so a tough mob.Mentally you get tougher after experiencing these good events.

Lee will travel to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals later this month – where the top 25 winners from three events will receive a PGA Tour card for next season – to once again pursue his PGA Tour dream.

He is currently following a training block in Perth with his trainer Ritchie Smith to prepare for this push and the rest of his year.

“My eyes are open now that I have to work really hard,” he said.

“There are a lot of things that are good in my game that I can keep and keep on top. There are two or three things I need to work on. It always comes back to my habits. What I do with my golf swing.

“The putting and chipping has been really good over the last six months. We’ve been working on that and if we keep that at a good enough level, I think we’re going to be pretty happy. The approach game wasn’t too good and we have to work on that. Again, it comes down to my routine with what my swing is doing.

The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and is featured on the It’s live! in queensland Event calendar.

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