A relaxed Min Woo Lee has returned to defend his SJM Macao Open title this week – an ominous sign for a player who so magnificently overpowered Macau Golf & Country Club to win here last year.

The Australian, the world number 40, racked up three eagles, 26 birdies and made just two bogeys – one of those, almost playfully, on his very first hole – enroute to winning with a four-round total of 30-under, a tournament-record.

It was one of the finest performances of the year on the Asian Tour and with the weather forecast good and the course in excellent shape, the 26-year-old starts as a firm favourite this week, along with Asian Tour number one John Catlin from the United States – although that is clearly not a burden for the laidback star.

He said: “Just here to have fun and obviously try to win, but I mean, everyone’s here to win. Yes, obviously it would be nice to defend, but again, just have fun.”

One month after winning here he claimed the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, and he is looking for a similar finish to the season – particularly to make up for a disappointing Presidents Cup two week ago. He was part of the International team that lost to the United States, during a week when he posted one tie and one loss in two appearances.

Min Woo Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.

“Always nice to come back to a course that you play well in and very excited for the week,” added Lee, who finished 60^th in this year’s FedEx Cup after two runner-up finishes in the Rocket Mortgage Classic and the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.

“We’ve got some good players here. Hopefully it turns out to be a good one.

“I have a bit more experience now [of the course] I guess. It’s been a year so parts of my game have gotten better but just more experience over the last year.”

He is trying to become only the second player to win this event back-to-back. China’s Zhang Lianwei achieved the feat in 2001 and 2002. The 59-year-old is also playing this week.

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, who pushed Lee all the way last year, before finishing two shots back in second place, Catlin – winner of the International Series Macau at this week’s venue back in March – Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion, and South African Jbe Kruger, who claimed last week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters, are just a few of those ‘good players’ he refers to here this week.

Harman, who was on the victorious American team at the Presidents Cup, is making his debut in the SJM Macao Open.

“Super excited to be here,” said the American, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour.

“Never been to Macau. I’m excited to go see the golf course. It’s nice being able to use some success to travel the world and showcase my talents all over the place, so I’m really excited to be here.”

“I was lucky enough to get picked for the Presidents Cup at the end of September, so I’ve tried to keep my game in really good shape towards the end of the year. Got that done, was home for a week and a half and here I am, and I’m ready to get going. I’m excited to be here.”

Brian Harman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.

Harman has been paired with Kruger and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai for the first two days, while Lee is playing with Catlin, also the leader of The International Series Rankings, and Korean Jeunghun Wang – runner-up in Taiwan on Sunday.