Tiger Woods turned 50 on December 30, and the golf world came together to congratulate him not only for his achievements on the course but also for his success away from golf throughout five decades of life.
One of the first figures to send congratulations was one of his greatest archrivals, Phil Mickelson, who shared his message for Woods on the social media platform X.
Wishing Tiger Woods a happy 50th birthday. His contributions to golf are numerous and appreciated by all who love the game.
While most messages followed a respectful and formal tone, there was one player who decided to break with protocol when addressing one of golf’s greatest legends.
Min Woo Lee and his birthday joke for Tiger Woods
As many showed their respect for Woods, Australian golfer Min Woo Lee chose a different approach. Setting formalities aside and leaning on the close relationship he shares with the winner of 82 PGA Tour events, Lee sent a lighthearted birthday message to his longtime friend on Instagram.
50… old fart Tiger Woord.
The Australian wrote, while in another post he shared an image of the two together from 2016, the moment when their friendship began.
The story between Woods and Min Woo Lee
For Min Woo Lee, lifting the trophy at the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur meant more than just winning a title; it represented success built on a lesson learned directly from the greatest of all time.
Three months before the final in Tennessee, the young Australian had an encounter with Tiger Woods, who provided technical guidance during a clinic, offering firsthand instruction from one of the best players the game has ever seen. Woods taught him how to execute the famous “stinger” shot.
I got a few notes from him on how to hit a stinger… My brain clicked on a few things when my misses were left and right. What he said at the clinic kind of just clicked. I took everything he said with the stinger.
That specific advice became Lee’s secret weapon during the tournament, allowing him to regain control, manage distance, and ultimately win the 2016 U.S. Junior Amateur. In doing so, he joined a prestigious list that also included the name of his mentor, Woods-whom Lee continues to admire and from whom he still receives advice to this day.
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