By Raquel Stevens
World No 3 Minjee Lee is ready to kick off her 2026 season with a bang as she prepares to return to the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.
Recently from her home in Perth, the Australian star shared her excitement about returning to one of her favourite stops on the LPGA Tour, reflecting on a stellar 2025 and the “game-changing” equipment shift that has revitalised her career.
For Lee, the trip to Singapore is about more than just navigating the challenging Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club. It’s a return to a city that feels like a home away from home.
“I just enjoy Singapore in general,” Lee remarked, noting the tournament’s proximity to her base in Perth. “The hospitality is incredible, and the food is always a highlight. You really can’t go wrong with chilli crab and all the hawker food. I look forward to my visit every year.”
While the tropical humidity and shifting winds of Sentosa require careful physical preparation and recovery, Lee’s familiarity with the venue, spanning 12 years on tour, gives her a sense of calm confidence.
“I know what to expect,” she said. “It’s just about getting fine-tuned with the grass and the shots I need.”
The biggest catalyst for Lee’s recent surge, including her 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victory, was a bold leap into the unknown, switching to a broomstick putter.
Regarded as one of the best iron players in the world, Lee admitted that her short-range putting had become an “Achilles heel” that weighed on her mental game. The decision to switch to the long putter wasn’t easy, but it has paid off spectacularly.
“I just kind of leaped into the deep end,” Lee explained. “I stripped everything back and focused on the basics. Because the broomstick style is so different from conventional putting, it almost felt better. I didn’t have those old technical habits to worry about.”
The results speak for themselves. The change has provided a “sense of freedom” on the greens, allowing her to focus on what she can control and stay present during high-pressure rounds.
At 29, Lee jokingly referred to herself as no longer being the “youngest duck in the field,” but her hunger for victory remains sharper than ever. Surrounded by a new generation of talent, including nine of the world’s top 10 players who will join her in Singapore, she finds the heightened competition motivating rather than daunting.
“They push me to get better,” she said of the younger stars. “The talent on tour has never been in a better place, and it excites me to be in that space.”
Despite the jokes about her veteran status, Lee is firmly focused on “the big prize.” Having already secured three major titles, her ultimate dream is the LPGA Hall of Fame.
“That is my ultimate goal, it’s why I started playing golf,” Lee shared. “Seeing players like Lydia Ko get in recently just motivates me more. Your goals and dreams are meant to be big, right?”
As she heads to the Sentosa Tanjong Course this February, Lee isn’t just looking for another trophy to add to her collection of 11 LPGA titles, she’s looking to cement a legacy that will eventually lead her to the sport’s highest honour. With a refreshed mindset and a lethal new flat-stick, the Australian icon is well-positioned to make 2026 her most successful year yet.
The event, of which Inside Golf is a proud media partner, is an early highlight of this year’s LPGA Tour. The HSBC Women’s World Championship, which offers prize money of US$3 million and is often referred to as ‘Asia’s Major,’ will be played from February 26 to March 1.
For more information on the HSBC Women’s World Championship or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website. https://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens/
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