Friday, November 8, 2024

‘Actually crazy’: Gun Olympic golf team locked in

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Jason Day is headed to the Olympics. Picture: James Gilbert/Getty Images

Three majors champions and a superstar brother-sister duo will go for gold in Paris after Australia’s four-member Olympic golf team was locked in.

Minjee Lee will attend a third Olympics, Hannah Green a second, while former world No.1 Jason Day will take the opportunity he missed in 2016 and wear green and gold for the first time.

Rising star Min Woo Lee said it was “crazy” to think he’d be an Olympian, with the world no.36 set to join his sister Minjee with that now on his career resume.

“Now that it is starting to sink in, representing the Australian Olympic team alongside my sister at Paris 2024 is actually crazy,” he said.

“Playing at the Olympics has been a goal of mine ever since Minjee qualified for the Rio Olympics in 2016. Now that it is here, I want to do the green and gold proud and will be doing everything I can to come home with a gold medal.”

The Lees are the only brother-sister duo to win USGA championships – Minjee won the 2012 US Girls’ Junior and Min Woo the 2016 US Junior Amateur – and now join the rich history of Olympic siblings.

“Representing Australia at a third consecutive Olympic Games is truly an honour,” Minjee said.

“The past two Olympics have been among the greatest experiences of my career, and I have no doubt Paris 2024 will only add to that.

“Having my brother in Paris as part of the team will make it a fortnight that our family will treasure forever.”

Green, Australia’s highest-ranked golfer at No.7 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, was also Australia’s best performer in the Olympic golf competition in Tokyo three years ago and hits the Games in form having accumulated two LPGA Tour wins this season

“I am so thrilled to be once again representing the Australian Olympic team at Paris 2024,” Green said.

“Growing up in Perth, I never imagined that I could possibly win an Olympic medal, but finishing fifth in Tokyo has been a major motivator the past three years.

“I can’t wait to get to Paris and do the green and gold proud.”

Day, Australia’s highest-ranked male at No.27 in the world, baulked at the chance to go to Rio in 2016 but didn’t want to miss out this time.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent the Australian Olympic team in Paris,” he said.

“Throughout my career – whether on the PGA Tour, in President Cups and World Cups – I have tried to represent Australia in the best way possible.

“I will wear the green and gold with pride in Paris and would love nothing more than to win a gold medal for Australia.”

Golf will be played at the Le Golf National course in Paris.

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