The past four years have been a whirlwind for Minjee Lee.
In 2014, when she was ranked the world's best amateur golfer, the then-17-year-old took out the Women's Oates Victorian Open before turning professional a few months later.
Now at 21, after conquering that same tournament this past weekend, she's setting her sights on the 2018 Canberra Classic, going up against such names as Australia's Hannah Green and England's Georgia Hall.
"I feel like [the past few years] have gone by really quickly," she said. "It's been a really great experience and it's getting better and better. I'm settling in a little bit more each year."
Australia's Minjee Lee will take part in the Canberra Classic this weekend. Source: AAP
Ms Lee said it required a lot of hard work to reach her full potential.
"Golf is really tricky," she said. "You have to be so good with so many aspects. It covers everything.
"You have to be disciplined, you have to be patient. There are lots of things that teach you to become mature very quickly."
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Ms Lee was soon represented by international sports management company IMG. Her packed touring schedule then included sponsorship deals, photo shoots, and lots of media attention.
"Playing golf, that's your element; you go on the course and just play," Ms Lee explained. "But everything that comes with it, being away from home and not being able to see your family and friends, it does stress you out and you get tired, but you have to embrace it."
Ms Lee visits her parents and brother in Perth as often as she can, though her mother still travels with her on tour. In time she hopes her success will inspire more young people to take up golf, and even offered some advice to those looking to take a similar path.
"Always find the positive and always acknowledge the things you love about it," she said. "Don't get too negative if you don't do so well because the next day could be a different story."
