KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Zii Jia has the opportunity to triple his last season's World Tour earnings at this week's season-ending World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou, China, where a US$200,000 (RM886,000) winner's purse awaits in the singles contest.
The 26-year-old has already accumulated US$112,380 (RM498,000) from 15 events this year, primarily from his victories at the Thailand Open and Australian Open.
This surpassed his 2023 season earnings of US$109,805 (RM486,000).
Now the world No. 8 aims to claim the Tour's premier crown in Hangzhou, a prestigious event reserved for the season's top eight performers.
To get closer to the US$200,000 first prize and 14,000 'elevated' world ranking points, Zii Jia must first navigate a challenging Group B, where he faces Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, China's Li Shi Feng, and his close friend Anders Antonsen of Denmark.
This marks Zii Jia's third Finals appearance, with his best result being a semi-final finish at the 2021 Bali edition.
His campaign begins tomorrow against Tien Chen, followed by matches against Antonsen and Shi Feng on Thursday and Friday respectively.
Given his recent inconsistent form, Zii Jia will need to elevate his game to contend for the title. Since getting the Paris Olympics bronze in August, he has suffered three first-round exits in five World Tour events.
His success at the season finale will largely depend on his mental approach.
Outgoing coach, Wong Tat Meng, in his final stint, remains confident in Zii Jia's capabilities.
"Zii Jia must keep his mindset in check and don't let past victories or defeats weigh him down," said Tat Meng.
"Every win is an experience, not a burden; every loss is a lesson, not a setback. Each match is a fresh challenge and a new chance to prove his worth.
"He needs to stay calm and focus on the present. Don't fixate on 'expecting to win' but give his all to every single point.
"The outcome matters, but what truly counts is enjoying the process and unleashing his true potential.
"Zii Jia should trust in himself —only with a steady mindset can he bring out his best performance."
Zii Jia is already guaranteed US$15,000 just for qualifying for the US$2.5 million Finals.
A third-place finish in the group would increase his earnings to US$27,500.
The stakes rise significantly in the knockout stages, with semi-finalists earning US$50,000 and runner-up taking home US$100,000.