Min Woo Lee shoots down LIV Golf rumors: 'I'm not going'

Min Woo Lee has shut down the talk that he's joining LIV Golf.

The 27-year-old from Australia says he's not bolting to the rival league and plans to stay on the PGA Tour in 2026.

"There's been a lot of rumors. I'm not going and am just going to play on the PGA Tour," Lee said, according to the Australian Associated Press. "So, I'm happy with where I'm at and, yeah, I'm looking forward to next year."

The denial arrives right on schedule for golf's annual rumor season, when the Saudi-backed league gets linked to a new batch of names. Lee has looked like a logical target, as an international draw with shot-making flair and a large social media following.

His breakthrough at the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open shifted the conversation. He went from viral favorite to winner.

LIV continues to market itself as a global circuit, and Lee would have slotted neatly on the roster. Instead, he says the priority is major tournaments, especially The Masters, and earning results on a established tour.

He's currently No. 46 on the Official World Golf Ranking. That puts a 2026 Masters invite squarely in reach via the year-end top-50 exemption.

"Yeah, I never want to miss a major, The Masters especially. It's one of the biggest tournaments in the world, so I'll do whatever I can to get in," Lee said. "I've just got to play good golf in the Aussie summer and hopefully I can lock it up."

Denials haven't always guaranteed a move to LIV wasn't going to happen. In the past, some players have initially said no before ultimately agreeing to play.

--Field Level Media