Minjee Lee hopes to keep channelling the wave of Australian success on the LPGA Tour when she steps up to defend her title at the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey.

The good vibes are everywhere for the world No.6 ahead of Thursday night’s opening round (Australian time) after Team Australia’s upbeat showing in San Francisco last week.

The Aussie quartet of Lee, Hannah Green, Sarah Kemp and Steph Kyriacou upset Korea and Japan en route to reaching last Sunday’s final against victors Thailand in the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown.

The excellent performance harnessed plenty of the energy that last-start winner Green brought to the team format. The tight bonds were an X-factor.

“Oh, I miss them already. It's just so quiet without them. Especially Steph. She's always talking. I mean, there was not a dull moment,” Lee said with a laugh.

“It was really, really fun. Now you're playing individually, it’s a little bit different mindset. It was a great week last week and hopefully I can bring it into this one.

“I mean, it's my greatest honour to be able to represent Australia week in, week out.”

Green agreed: “Even though the result wasn't what we wanted on the last day, I think we probably had the most fun as a team.

“It was nice to just hang out with them off the course because sometimes golf can be pretty lonely in that sense.

“My stomach almost hurt from the amount of laughter we had last week. We all played really well.”

Lee has the advantage of having played before at the Upper Montclair Country Club and understands the course’s particular challenges.

Last year, the superstar from Royal Fremantle came up clutch on the final hole with a fine wedge to inside two metres and a birdie putt.

Her 67-63-69-70 week to post 19-under-par was the winning springboard to an even bigger prize when she won the US Women’s Open in June last year.

Lee also understands the broader significance of this tournament honouring the founders of the professional tour in the US.

The Founders Cup pays respect to the 13 Founders of the LPGA and the pioneers who continue the groundbreaking journey. This week, LPGA Hall of Famer Betsy King and noted author, instructor and coach Pia Nilsson are being honoured as the 2023 Pioneers.

“Having won last year and being back defending this year, I think it's going to be a special week. I have great memories here,” Lee said.

“I just think they (King, Nilsson and pioneers like them) really paved the way for us and the tour. We've gone from strength to strength since and I think we wouldn't have this tour without them and the LPGA.

“So, hopefully, aspire to be a little bit like them.”

Lee recognised how important her win in New Jersey was last year for her second major victory to follow.

“I kind of jump started my season. I was striking the ball really well here, and because the golf course is quite demanding, I feel like all parts of my game came together for that win. It gave me a lot of confidence for the next couple weeks and obviously the US Open,” Lee said.

Lee said a strong putting week and driving the ball well on a tight course were keys to her Founders Cup success in 2022.

World No.14 Green, winner of the recent JM Eagle LA Championship, admitted her endurance is being taxed and she faces as an unfamiliar course before she flies home on Monday for a break in Australia.

“I must admit I'm feeling a little bit tired. This is my fourth week in a row. I'm still probably on cloud nine. I think that helped me push through last week and I'm super excited to come and play this event for the first time," she said.

“I'm so close to being home. I’ve got to make sure that I remember I'm here to win a golf tournament and I'm not in Australia yet.”

Eight of the top 10 players in the Rolex Women's World Rankings are playing which is a measure of respect for the pioneers of women's professional golf.  - Jim Tucker