Growing up in the shadow of a talented sibling is not easy. Especially if both of you have the same career. The constant comparisons and criticisms are unavoidable. One must ask Min Woo Lee. For years, he tried to make a mark on the PGA Tour, but success did not come easily to him. His first one this year was several doors for him, one being coming close to the accolades set by Minjee Lee. Despite all this, he has often been more proud of her than himself. At least his recent interview says that.

Min Woo Lee, speaking to the ADP Team, the brand he represents, shared his feelings on Minjee’s major win this year at the KPMG PGA Championship. “Minjee has always been a great player, but I feel like that win really brought out her A game and reminded the golf world how dominant she can be. She inspires me so much with her training, her approach to gameplay, and her attitude toward life. She is everything I am trying to be: hardworking, focused, and just really, really good.”

After a winless drought of two years, Minjee grabbed her third career major championship at Frisco Fields. Her start in the event was shaky, casting doubts about whether this would be another loss added to her streak. But, she eventually managed to win by three strokes over Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen with an overall score of 4-under-par (284 strokes).

This win was special in its own way, but it was also a highlight in the Lees family. Just months before, Min Woo Lee edged out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and veteran Gary Woodland by a shot to get a hold on the Texas Children’s Houston Open’s trophy. This win was his first on the PGA Tour and fourth worldwide. And after years of being overlooked by Minjee’s medals, this gave him certain bragging rights in the Lee household.

It is, anyway, not easy to compete with Minjee. She has 3 majors now, 11 LPGA victories. But Min Woo doesn’t frame their careers as a competition. Instead, he highlights how much he owes to his sister’s consistency and mental toughness. In fact, he had already predicted that she was going to win this year’s major soon. “Her game is built for the majors,” he said after Minjee’s win. “Her mental side is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Mix that in with good putting and short game, and she’s going to win. I’m very proud of her.”

And more than pride comes the fact that the little brother basks in Minjee as an idol. She was the first name that he said when asked who his biggest inspiration was during the 2023 RBC Heritage. “She’s pretty good at golf, and she’s a good role model on and off the course.”

But of course, the admiration is not one-sided. It cannot be, as the talent in the Lee blood will never permit that. When Min Woo holed the winning putt in Houston, Minjee posted on Instagram that she was “jumping out of her plane seat” mid-flight. She was the first one that Min Woo called after the win, even before the parents. And this win, apart from etching his name in a stellar resume, also brought several historical records.

Together, Minjee and Min Woo became only the third brother-sister duo ever to win on both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. They joined the list of Cathy and Billy Kratzert and Jackie and Jim Gallagher Jr.

Now, one might see their relationship and warm their heart over the profound love the siblings share for each other. But it does not take a fool to guess that this was not the case always. The Lee siblings were once just like any other siblings on earth. A pesky, naughty brother, annoying his elder sister during her practice sessions.

But that sibling friction has mellowed down now as the two are busy with their separate careers. Now, it is more about a “healthy rivalry,” a desire to do better. “Min Woo and I, we have a really great relationship. But I think we have more of a rivalry now, now that we’re both winning professional events,” Minjee told the PGA Australia.

So even though their relationship is more about inspiration and encouragement, Min Woo has never shied away from admitting areas where he is better than his sister.

‘I’ll smoke her’: Min Woo Lee on competing with sister

“It’s very cool to have a sister that’s really good at golf. I think it’s amazing. I’d rather her do well than not,” Min Woo Lee once told Australian Story, at times even admitting that he is not the best golfer in the family. Both his parents are athletic, with the golfing genes shared from his mother. But after his win at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, Min Woo believes that he is reaching there, at least in rankings.

When Min Woo reached his career-high ranking of 22nd, Minjee had slipped to 18th from the rank of 2. It was then that Min Woo had said, “I think if we play from the same tees, I’ll smoke her because I hit it very far.” Then he continued, “But if she played from her tees and I played from mine, it would be pretty close.” With a sly humor, he added that she might win over time, but if there was a little short sprint, he might close the deal.

All these comparisons don’t come without honest acknowledgements of Minjee’s strengths. “She’s very straightforward and controls the ball so well…She’s a robot,” he said.

Now, Min Woo Lee is currently placed at 43rd in the OWGR, while Minjee Lee has risen to 3rd. More reasons for fun banters and competitive rivalry in the siblings’ abode.