Min Woo Lee edges ahead of Adam Scott at PGA halfway mark
Min Woo Lee in action today – image Australian Golf Media
Min Woo Lee has grabbed the outright 36-hole lead at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in Brisbane, adding a second round of 66 to his opening 64 to lead by one over Adam Scott whose round of 65 on day two was the equal-best of the day.
Lee’s began his second round one behind the overnight leader, Joel Moscatel of Spain, but with an outward nine of 32 he was ahead. His only dropped shot came at the 10th at which point he surrendered his lead to Scott who was playing in the group ahead but after birdies at his 13th and 15th holes he had regained the lead and held on to take an edge into the weekend.
Lee has already achieved much in the game winning a US Junior Championship as an amateur, winning twice on the DP World Tour, finishing an impressive 5th at this year’s US Open and gaining his PGA Tour card but he still took a moment to think ahead to the possibility of contending against Scott this weekend.
“It’s amazing,” said Lee. “Only a few years ago I was dreaming of being in this spot, especially to play with Scotty. It seems only like a few years ago I was in the Interstate Series watching him winning the Masters. It is cool to have him as a friend and play in the final group. Anywhere you are in the final group of any tournament, it’s a pretty good achievement, so hopefully, I can keep it going.”
Lee was asked how he felt about playing against one of Queensland’s golfing sons over the weekend and whether the crowd will be split in terms of support.
“No, I don’t think it’s going to be split. I think we’re excited to play some good golf in front of them and hopefully, we can get some roars in crowds. I don’t know, I hope it’s not split like that. I think I’ve got tremendous support over the last two days and last year, so hopefully it’s going to be like that tomorrow.”
Lee was asked his thoughts about the tough day experienced by Cam Smith who he played with over the opening 36 holes.
“That’s golf. That happens. Next week I’m sure he’s going to bounce back; it’s just what good players do. That’s the good thing about golf, you have one bad week and the next week you can win. I’m sure he’s going to have a good time hanging out with his family and friends in his hometown. He’ll have a few drinks and loosen up for next week.
“It’s just golf and I’ve just got to take care of myself and my game. It does suck for him to not play as good as he wants to, but it’s just what this golf course is. You’re just off and your score can blow out like that. It’s just a tough course.”
Adam Scott – image Australian Golf Media
Adam Scott played in the group ahead of Lee and was bogey free as he put himself in position to win potentially his third PGA Championship having won twice previously when the event was staged at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
“I’m generally pleased with all areas of the game, but I feel like my game tee to green has been better, said Scott. “My striking feels better than it has been, feeling a bit more comfortable and also doing what I want it to do a bit more often. So, that’s very pleasing for me, good for the confidence too going into the weekend.
When asked his thoughts on playing with Min Woo Lee in the final group tomorrow Scott responded; “I mean, I really don’t care who I play with. I’m playing in the final group and I’m happy about that.
“I think I’m about where I need to be. Even though the scoring was a bit tougher maybe today I guess. Someone is going to get close to 20-under, so I’m just keeping pace with that kind of mark.
“You never know, it could get really windy and we’re not going that deep, but this is kind of the place that was identified earlier in the week, so I’m really happy with – I call it par – but that’s very good.
“Obviously I’m in good position, so I’m very pleased with how it’s going and the way I’m playing. I feel like I can pick the course apart and hopefully not have to chance things too much, give myself lots of opportunities, because I’m putting well, and I’ll get a few to go.”
In third place is the highly talented New South Welshman John Lyras who has yet to win on the PGA Tour of Australasia but who has been twice runner-up including at this year’s New Zealand Open.
Lyras earned his Asian Tour card earlier this year and is getting progressively better as a professional but tomorrow he faces his biggest examination.
When asked how he might handle things over the weekend after being well enough placed at the halfway mark last year he said;
“I tell you what, I played with Min Woo last year, Round 3, it doesn’t work by just sitting there and letting things come to you. There’s a point where you’ve got to step on it a bit and see how much you can take from the golf course.
“Obviously, you pick your chances right and you pick your battles. I plan on doing a better job of that tomorrow and yeah, just being overall more aggressive and more trusting in the game. You’re never going to play good golf by being ultra-conservative with your game plan or thought process.”
An injury during the middle of the year has slowed his progress but there is little doubting the quality of Lyras’ game when right.
“Yeah, I’ve had a rotator cuff tear that kind of came about in the middle of the year and started with some wrist injuries, had that looked at and persisted on. Once I got that right it kind of referred up into the shoulder and took me out of action. So that’s been a work in progress. I had to change a few things as well – gym work, swing stuff, feels, just to try and get it to the point where I wasn’t activating it too much in the golf swing, and supporting the club a bit more.
“So that’s been pretty hard, to try and make some changes like that and still be able to play the kind of golf I want to. It’s definitely made me a lot more technical than I’d like to be, but this week we’re really trying to get back to a bit of artistic stuff and just see it, feel it and get the ball holding in the wind. Just trying to feel it more in the hands this week than I have been and it’s proved fruitful so far.”
Another two shots back are Curtis Luck and Lucas Herbert who both completed their rounds amongst the morning field on day two.
Much of the talk on day two however surrounded the struggles of Cam Smith who finished the day with a round of 78 to go with his opening 73, the defending champion missing the cut by a massive nine shots.
