"Since returning from medical leave, both my body and mind have improved. I haven't shown much this season, so I want to post a strong result at my sponsor's tournament and soar again."
That was the goal Lee Kyoung-hoon, 35, shared with reporters ahead of the May 20 opening of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, a PGA Tour event with a total purse of $10.3 million, held over four days starting Wednesday (local time) at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71) in McKinney, Texas.
Lee has a special connection with The CJ Cup. Sponsored by CJ, Lee captured both his first and second PGA Tour victories at The CJ Cup since his tour debut in 2019. He lifted the trophy at the event in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022.
Lee, who took medical leave last season due to a left hip injury and stepped away briefly, made his return in February at the Cognizant Classic. He missed the cut in all three PGA Tour events he played before The CJ Cup, but the gradually improving golfer has set this tournament as the starting point for his full-fledged comeback.
"My condition has improved significantly compared to last year. I have no problem walking and no problem playing. My body is actually in much better shape than before," Lee said of his return.
Lee underwent a five-month rehabilitation program in his home country immediately after going on medical leave. For the first two months, he did not pick up a golf club at all. He combined daily rehab swimming with Pilates to rebuild his body. "Letting go of the clubs I held every day brought more anxiety than I expected. But after that, I had more time to think about myself, and my mind actually became more at ease. Now I feel deeply grateful that I can hold a club and compete," Lee said.
He also expressed gratitude to his sponsor CJ, which quietly supported his rehabilitation throughout his medical leave. "I am grateful to my sponsor for trusting and waiting for me in silence. It was a great source of strength in overcoming the injury. I think I have to do better, if only for my sponsor. Watching fellow sponsored players Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo compete also made me want to play again," he said.
For the rest of the season, Lee's goal is to keep his tour card. "When I calculated, there are about 15 tournaments I can enter, including this one. I will do my best to post strong results in the remaining events and survive on the PGA Tour," he said.
