Korean-Canadian golfer Richard T. Lee is coming into The International Series Japan presented by Moutai with renewed confidence and a clear mission: to build on his strong recent form and chase down another title in what could potentially be a career-defining season.
Lee’s breakthrough on The International Series came last year with a commanding victory at the BNI Indonesian Masters 2024, where he held off a world-class field including two-time Major winner Bubba Watson to capture his first title on the LIV Golf-backed set of 10 elevated events.
That win capped a strong run of form that included a T2 and a T9, both recorded in two weeks in Thailand.
The result propelled him up The International Series Rankings, making him the nearest challenger to American John Catlin at one point, and putting him in serious contention for top spot and an automatic place on the LIV Golf League.
Lee ultimately finished fifth in the Rankings, guaranteeing a second-round spot in the LIV Golf Promotions event. Although he ultimately missed out on a place in the LIV Golf League, he comfortably earned a place in the 36-hole final day shootout won by International Series Thailand champion Lee Chieh-po.
The 34-year-old has carried that good form into The International Series and the 2025 season in general. He is trending in the right direction after a top-10 finish at International Series India presented by DLF, a top-five finish at International Series Macau presented by Wynn and a recent victory at the Woori Finance Championship on the KPGA Tour.
The three-time Asian Tour champion is hoping to continue that good form at the third event of the series this week, as he continues his search for a life-changing place on the LIV Golf League next season.
“Even though I played in Japan more than 10 times, I haven’t had a standout finish here yet,” Lee said. “After some solid results in India and Macau this year, I really want to break that pattern I have here and push for a top 10, or ideally, a win, this week.”
“I’m feeling confident this season. I’ve been striking the ball well, and my putting has really come together, that’s been the difference,” he added when asked about his mindset heading into the tournament. “Credit to my wife, actually. She told me to switch from a blade to a mallet putter, and I listened. I tried it and ended up winning the BNI Indonesia Masters. So, always listen to your wife!”
When asked about the difference between the course in Japan and other destinations on The International Series map, Lee explained: “Courses here are very tree-lined, so you really have to place your tee shots well to give yourself a good look at the green. That’s the toughest part about playing in Japan compared to other stops. But if I can manage that, I think it could be a pretty smooth week.”
International Series Japan presented by Moutai takes place from 8 – 11 May. Tickets for all four days are available here, with Thursday and Friday complimentary: https://webket.jp/pc/ticket/index?fc=80130&ac=9000.
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
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