In summary

  • Minjee Lee has slumped to 17th in the world rankings after missing six straight cuts in 2026 following swing and equipment changes.
  • Min Woo Lee says his sister has skipped this week's Maybank Championship in Malaysia to reset, but insists she will "be back".
  • Min Woo Lee is returning to headline the 2026 Australian Open and PGA Championships, the latter staged in Sydney for the first time since 1998.

After capturing a third major championship last year, Minjee Lee has slumped to 17th in the world rankings after missing six straight cuts in 2026 while seemingly seeking golf perfection.

For all her successes, Lee felt compelled to make swing adjustment - after also switching equipment sponsors and changing clubs - in her quest to join an elite group of golf legends to complete a rare career grand slam.

To date, though, the decision has proven disastrous results-wise, with Lee having not finished better than a tie for 28th in her past 14 tournaments since April.

Younger brother Min Woo on Wednesday revealed Minjee had opted out of this week's LPGA Tour event in Malaysia in a concerted effort to reset.

For the first time in more than a decade, Lee is almost certain to miss qualifying for the LPGA's season-ending Tour Championship, an AUD$16 million) showpiece featuring only the top 60 in the year-long points race.

However, Min Woo is adamant the 30-year-old will "be back".

"She's just going through a couple of swing changes and always it's very tougher," the men's PGA Tour star said on a Zoom call on Wednesday after confirming he was returning to headline the fields at 2026 Australian Open and PGA Championships.

"We all ask 'why?', but we all want to get better and, although this year has been very tough for her, I think she's going to bounce back - she's too good to not bounce back.

"Yeah, it sucks to not see her name at the top of the leaderboard, but she can get a little bit of motivation back, have a bit of a break and get back into it and be ready to go."

Lee is uncharacteristically languishing in 78th in the season points race, with only three tournaments left before next month's Tour Champ Championship in Florida.

Her Perth stablemate Hannah Green, in 12th spot, is the only Australian certain to qualify for the season finale in Naples from November 19-22. However, fellow major winner Grace Kim (48th) and Sydney's Cassie Porter (47th) also look likely.

Karis Davidson (58th) and Robyn Choi (74th) are also hoping to boost their chances at this week's Maybank Championship in Malaysia.

Winner of the 2023 Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane, Min Woo Lee has joined a formidable field for this years' event being staged in Sydney for the first time since 1998.

After finishing fourth in the recent season-ending PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta, Lee is eager to bring down the likes of two-time defending Masters champ Rory McIlroy and 2026 British Open winner Ryan Fox, to have his name etched on the Stonehaven Cup at Melbourne's famed Kingston Heath course.

"These guys are going to bring their A game and I'm sure they want to win, too," he said.

"So we're all going to be fighting for the trophy at the end of the week. They're all good golfers and they all know how to get the ball in the hole, so let's see during the week and hopefully I'll be answering questions from you afterwards."