While Cam Smith couldn’t bring it home, another young Aussie emerged with a slice of Masters history in the final round.
Australian golf is in good hands.
The Players winner Cam Smith was a huge chance heading into the final round of the Masters. He would ultimately fade, as world no.1 Scottie Scheffler held his nerve.
But as the final pair tee’d off, Min Woo Lee was charging up the leaderboard.
Making his first appearance at Augusta National, form at one of golf’s toughest courses tends to be a precursor for future years. It sets up well for the 23-year-old.
Albeit momentarily, Lee stormed to outright fourth after equalling the lowest-ever front nine – a staggering six-under-par 30 on championship Sunday.
He eagled the par-5 second, then reeled off four straight birdies to surge to two-under for the tournament, within seven shots of the eventual champion Scheffler.
Embed from Getty ImagesMin Woo Lee’s golfing breakout came in July 2021, winning the Scottish Open.
Although Lee’s impressive run faded with four bogeys in a row to start the back nine, it was an unforgettable maiden Masters for the rising star.
Min Woo is the younger brother of LPGA Tour star Minjee Lee. He looks set to follow in Minjee’s major-winning footsteps someday.
Speaking to the media at the end of the tournament, Lee said he would take plenty of confidence from his performance as he looks forward to a break and a few drinks.
“Coming into this week I wasn’t playing that well, so this place gets you on another level.
“Really positive vibes.
“I’ll take a few weeks off now and work on a couple of things.”
Min Woo Lee finished 12 shots behind Scheffler and seven shy of Cam Smith, who ended with a disappointing 73, sharing third with Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
The race is well and truly on to join only Adam Scott as an Australian Masters champion.
