Seungmin Lee: "I Will Be a Hope for Athletes with Disabilities"

Won by 14 strokes at the Australia All Ability Championship
Celebrated victory since the 2022 US Adaptive Open
Will compete in both KPGA Tour and G4D Tour next year

"I want to be a hope for athletes with disabilities"

Lee Seung-min is making a heart shape with his fingers and smiling brightly right after winning the Australia All Ability Championship. Photo by Vol Media

This is the determination of developmental disability golfer Lee Seung-min. In an interview right after winning the Australia All Ability Championship (AAAC) held at Kingston Heath Golf Club (par 72, 6,682 yards) in Melbourne, Australia on the 30th (local time), he said, "I am really happy to win a major tournament for the first time in two years since the US Adaptive Open. It is a great honor to win a big tournament." He added, "I am grateful to my parents, grandfather, grandmother, and the sponsors who have supported me. I especially thank my older brother Yoon Seul-gi, who always helps and takes care of my training."

In the final third round of the tournament, Lee Seung-min scored 3 birdies and 5 bogeys for a 2-over-par 74. He recorded a total score of 4-under-par 212, beating joint second-place Kip Parfitt (England) and Wayne Perske (Australia) by a whopping 14 strokes. He said, "In the second round, I started with consecutive bogeys on holes 1 and 2, so I was a bit shaken, but my brother Seul-gi helped me regain focus. Then I made a birdie on the 4th hole, and the cheers from the gallery around me gave me strength. Thanks to the many applauses and support, I really enjoyed the game."

Lee Seung-min will simultaneously participate in the 2025 season of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour and the G4D Tour. The G4D Tour was launched in 2023. It is organized by the DP World Tour and operated in partnership with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA). He said, "There seem to be more friends with disabilities who are courageously trying golf. I think I need to show them better performance to be a hope for those friends." He also pledged, "As a professional golfer, I will continue to challenge myself to become the world No. 1 in disabled golf rankings and as a national golf representative." Lee Seung-min is currently ranked 2nd in the world disabled golf rankings. Parfitt is ranked No. 1 in the world.

Lee Seung-min is the protagonist who is active as a professional golfer despite having autism spectrum developmental disorder. He was diagnosed with congenital autism spectrum developmental disorder around the age of two, and his intelligence quotient (IQ) is 66, equivalent to the level of a 6-7 year old. He was introduced to golf while living in the United States following his father, a diplomat. In 2014, when he was a sophomore at Sinseong High School, he obtained KPGA semi-pro qualification, and in 2017, after five attempts, he became a full member of the KPGA Tour. This was the first time for a developmental disability athlete. He made history by winning the US Adaptive Open despite his disability. He also showcases his skills by participating as an invited player in domestic professional tournaments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.