Australia’s Min Woo Lee has once again claimed the top spot on the leaderboard in his home country, reaching the halfway point of the prestigious ISPS Handa Australian Open. Fresh off his victory at the Australian PGA Championship last week, Lee widened his lead to three strokes on Friday, showcasing a contender for the shot of the year.
Despite already holding a one-stroke advantage, Lee faced a challenging situation on the 18th hole after an errant tee shot left him in a patch of pine straw. With 190 yards to the green and water surrounding the putting surface, a conservative play to set up a potential up-and-down birdie would have been a reasonable choice.
However, Lee opted for a more daring approach—and it paid off handsomely. The rising PGA Tour star selected his 9-iron and executed a sweeping hook that soared over the water hazard and landed on the green. His ball then spun to a mere two feet from the cup, setting up a straightforward tap-in eagle.
Reflecting on the impressive shot, Lee commented, “I had a really good number for a 9-iron, a significant 9-iron, and I’ve been consistently hitting draws all week. It sat up really nicely. I watched the TV coverage, and it spun left towards the hole, nearly going in. I’m really pleased with that finish. Making an eagle is always special, but doing it on the last hole makes it even more satisfying.”