San diego: South Korea's newest star KH Lee vividly remembers competing against Hideki Matsuyama during his amateur days.
Back then, the slender Japanese stood out due to his raw talents and also for his tremendous work ethics where he would pound golf ball after ball for hours at the practice range. It is a lasting memory that would help shape Lee's own golf career.
As the Korean prepares for his third US Open at Torrey Pines starting tomorrow, the 29-year-old knows only too well that he needs to keep living the mantra of "The harder you practise, the luckier you get" coined by South African legend Gary Player if he is to emulate Matsuyama's major success in the near future.
Two months ago, Matsuyama, who is six months younger than Lee, triumphed at the Masters to become only the second Asian major winner after South Korean YE Yang's historic breakthrough at the PGA Championship in 2009.
Seeing a fellow Asian rewrite golf history has served as added motivation for Lee, who first met Matsuyama when the Japanese ace won the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Lee finishing tied fourth and 11 shots back in the event.
"I was very impressed with how Hideki won the Masters. I was very happy as we have played with each other since our amateur days and I have gotten to know him. He is very humble and he practises a lot. He is a hard worker and his win has motivated me and other Asian golfers. I think maybe next time, I will win a major. It was nice to see him do it," said Lee.
Lee is also renowned for spending between 12 to 15 hours a day at the range back home to sharpen his game where the hard work finally paid off with his first PGA Tour victory at the AT&T Byron Nelson last month. Naturally, he hungers for more success.
He had qualified for the US Open in 2014 and 2019 but missed the cut on both occasions. His other major appearance came at last month's PGA Championship which was also short week, thus prompting him to alter his preparation ahead of this week.
Lee took last week off to rest up in his Lake Nona home and knuckle down on some final preparation for what he expects to be a severe test at Torrey Pines.
"I'm very excited about the week. Previously, I have prepared for majors the same way but since I have now played in a few more, I don't think my preparation can be like usual. The golf course is very different, and course strategy will be different. It is crucial to know the course and prepare more than before." he said.