Min Woo Lee – leading Australasian-ranked player in the field – image Augusta National
There is always plenty of commentary as to which of golf’s four majors is the most popular amongst the golfing world, but in any sort of poll to determine such, The Masters would always rate near the top, if not on top.
That it is the only major played at the same venue each year has allowed us to gain an intimate knowledge of the dangers lurking in the heat of a Sunday battle, holes like 11,12, 13, 15 and 16 highlighting that a lead is never safe and, as viewers, we can sit and watch the drama unfold.
The familiarity of a layout in which there is such a fine line between pleasure and pain captures the imagination of all, and while in more recent times all 18 holes are now part of the coverage, the closing nine holes on Sunday are those closest to us and must surely be the most anticipated and watched in televised golf.
There are numerous opportunities to make up a deficit in the latter stages of the event, but there is also danger at nearly every corner, and perhaps the unpredictability is what makes it so appealing.
In 2026, there are two favourites on paper at least, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the winners of three of the last four Masters titles, but with the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson De Chambeau, Xander Schauffle and Ludvig Aberg, amongst others, likely to stake their claim, then the winner may be obvious to many but still very uncertain.
The Masters is a bit like the Melbourne Cup in that for one week of the year, many non-golfers become experts in predicting a potential winner, further highlighting the appeal the 90th staging of the event holds.
Four Australians and one New Zealander get their chance to add a second title to come to this part of the world, Adam Scott’s win in 2013 completing Australian success in all four major championships.
This year, Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, Adam Scott, and Cam Smith will be joined by New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, all five having now played the Masters on several occasions.
Min Woo Lee gets the honour of being Australia’s leading-ranked player in the event as he competes for the fifth occasion, his best finish coming on debut when 14th in 2022. He has made two of the other three cuts and arrives in good form with a 3rd place finish two weeks ago in Houston, when defending his title, and a 6th place finish two starts earlier at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
At number 25 in the world ranking, Lee appears to have the current form and Augusta National experience necessary to make his presence felt this week.
“My game is looking really good,” said Lee on Tuesday. “Feeling good. The ball was going where I wanted it to, which is great. And, yeah, I mean, the mini driver is probably going to be a big factor this week. Just hitting draws off the tee.
“And it’s a little different wind than we usually play, what I played in the last few years. So really like this wind.
Jason Day – on the range this week – image Augusta National
Jason Day finished runner-up on debut at the Masters in 2011, run down only by a barnstorming finish by Charles Schwartzel. Two years later, he finished 3rd behind Scott, and there have been two other top tens, including when 8th last year.
Day began this year with a runner-up finish at the American Express tournament, and while his follow-up form has been somewhat mixed, he did finish 6th in Houston at his last start to suggest he is not far from where he needs to be in order to produce another top ten.
“Yeah, game was solid,” said Day after finishing a practice round with Min Woo Lee. “Just had a nice practice round with Min Woo and Johnny Keefer out this morning on the back side. I’ve been here since last Friday. I got in last Friday, walked around Saturday and Sunday, both back and front, just trying to get used to some of the old feelings that you get around here.
Just positional-wise, where you need to hit it off certain tee locations and obviously into the greens, as well, just trying to make sure the short game is nice and sharp and getting used to the speeds of the greens.
Day was also asked his thoughts on the Tiger Woods situation and endeared himself to those present with his whole-hearted support for the three-time champion at Augusta.
“I think the biggest thing is just to make sure that the friendship is still there. People out here do support him and want him to kind of get through this.
“It is tough. I’ve never dealt with an addiction before, other than golf. I’m pretty addicted to that. But it must be tough to be isolated the way he is normally. He stays at home pretty much most of the time, doesn’t really get out too much just because of how popular he is as a person, and then when you’re at home, it’s just difficult. Sometimes you don’t have people around, loving people around enough to be able to steer you in the direction that you need to.
“Like I said before, he’s human, and we all make mistakes. That’s just part of learning and getting better, and I’m hoping that he gets the help that he needs and that he comes out stronger and better on the other side because, like golf misses him. We miss him here this week.
“It’s always better when he’s playing golf tournaments because we love having him around, so it’s a little bit sad to not have him here this week.”
Adam Scott practising this week – image Augusta National
Adam Scott’s missed cut last year was just the third in 24 starts at Augusta National, and while there have not been a lot of top tens, his historic win in 2013 highlights his comfort zone with the layout and the special memories the event brings.
Scott has played some very nice golf in 2026, not missing a cut and finishing 4th at Riviera. I can see him finishing inside the top 20, but not sure about his chances of contending.
Cam Smith – with caddie Sam Pinfold this week – image Augusta National
Cam Smith arrives at Augusta with a very good record in the event before heading to the LIV Golf League in 2022. He has played solidly, although unspectacularly, in 2026 in LIV events, which are always hard to line up against PGA Tour events, but his record at Augusta National is quite outstanding.
Smith has five top tens in nine starts, including when runner-up behind Dustin Johnson in 2020 and 3rd behind Scheffler in 2022, so his liking for the layout where his short game skills have proven so valuable is clear.
“I think the course is in great shape, and it’s already pretty firm,” said Smith. “It seems like the grass is really full. It’s always in good condition here, but it seems like there’s just a little bit more grass. It’s a little bit fuller, and there’s no rain in the forecast. They can really do whatever they want, I feel like. It will be firm and fast, I would assume.”
When asked as to how his experience here would be used this week, Smith added, “I think just be smart, and then you’ve obviously got to play good golf. I think it’s a place where if you’re playing really good, you can be super aggressive. If you’re not playing so good, you have to play really smart and kind of get to the positions where you can get it up-and-down. It’s the same for everyone, though. Everyone has got to do the same thing.
Ryan Fox – in practice on Tuesday – image Augusta National
Ryan Fox was running into some very nice form, making every cut in 2026 and finishing a very tidy 7th at the Genesis event before being struck down with kidney stones during the week of the Players Championship.
Fox returned from hospital to miss the cut at the Houston Open two weeks ago, so his preparedness for an event of this nature is a bit hard to judge right now.
“It’s close,” said Fox, referring to his form. “I wanted to come back and play Houston. The body wasn’t probably in great shape, but I didn’t want four weeks off before this week, so I have been working really hard to find it again. “I hope I can come out on Thursday and get the competitive juices flowing again, along with the excitement of playing the Masters. I feel like I am a couple of good shots away from playing well in a tournament.”
Despite his medical issues, Fox feels he and his game are in good shape, and with two Masters tournaments behind him, he is keen to take advantage of what he has learned on a golf course that requires familiarity to succeed.
Tee Times
Five Australasians tackle golf’s favourite event
Min Woo Lee – leading Australasian-ranked player in the field – image Augusta National
There is always plenty of commentary as to which of golf’s four majors is the most popular amongst the golfing world, but in any sort of poll to determine such, The Masters would always rate near the top, if not on top.
That it is the only major played at the same venue each year has allowed us to gain an intimate knowledge of the dangers lurking in the heat of a Sunday battle, holes like 11,12, 13, 15 and 16 highlighting that a lead is never safe and, as viewers, we can sit and watch the drama unfold.
The familiarity of a layout in which there is such a fine line between pleasure and pain captures the imagination of all, and while in more recent times all 18 holes are now part of the coverage, the closing nine holes on Sunday are those closest to us and must surely be the most anticipated and watched in televised golf.
There are numerous opportunities to make up a deficit in the latter stages of the event, but there is also danger at nearly every corner, and perhaps the unpredictability is what makes it so appealing.
In 2026, there are two favourites on paper at least, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the winners of three of the last four Masters titles, but with the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson De Chambeau, Xander Schauffle and Ludvig Aberg, amongst others, likely to stake their claim, then the winner may be obvious to many but still very uncertain.
The Masters is a bit like the Melbourne Cup in that for one week of the year, many non-golfers become experts in predicting a potential winner, further highlighting the appeal the 90th staging of the event holds.
Four Australians and one New Zealander get their chance to add a second title to come to this part of the world, Adam Scott’s win in 2013 completing Australian success in all four major championships.
This year, Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, Adam Scott, and Cam Smith will be joined by New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, all five having now played the Masters on several occasions.
Min Woo Lee gets the honour of being Australia’s leading-ranked player in the event as he competes for the fifth occasion, his best finish coming on debut when 14th in 2022. He has made two of the other three cuts and arrives in good form with a 3rd place finish two weeks ago in Houston, when defending his title, and a 6th place finish two starts earlier at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
At number 25 in the world ranking, Lee appears to have the current form and Augusta National experience necessary to make his presence felt this week.
“My game is looking really good,” said Lee on Tuesday. “Feeling good. The ball was going where I wanted it to, which is great. And, yeah, I mean, the mini driver is probably going to be a big factor this week. Just hitting draws off the tee.
“And it’s a little different wind than we usually play, what I played in the last few years. So really like this wind.
Jason Day – on the range this week – image Augusta National
Jason Day finished runner-up on debut at the Masters in 2011, run down only by a barnstorming finish by Charles Schwartzel. Two years later, he finished 3rd behind Scott, and there have been two other top tens, including when 8th last year.
Day began this year with a runner-up finish at the American Express tournament, and while his follow-up form has been somewhat mixed, he did finish 6th in Houston at his last start to suggest he is not far from where he needs to be in order to produce another top ten.
“Yeah, game was solid,” said Day after finishing a practice round with Min Woo Lee. “Just had a nice practice round with Min Woo and Johnny Keefer out this morning on the back side. I’ve been here since last Friday. I got in last Friday, walked around Saturday and Sunday, both back and front, just trying to get used to some of the old feelings that you get around here.
Just positional-wise, where you need to hit it off certain tee locations and obviously into the greens, as well, just trying to make sure the short game is nice and sharp and getting used to the speeds of the greens.
Day was also asked his thoughts on the Tiger Woods situation and endeared himself to those present with his whole-hearted support for the three-time champion at Augusta.
“I think the biggest thing is just to make sure that the friendship is still there. People out here do support him and want him to kind of get through this.
“It is tough. I’ve never dealt with an addiction before, other than golf. I’m pretty addicted to that. But it must be tough to be isolated the way he is normally. He stays at home pretty much most of the time, doesn’t really get out too much just because of how popular he is as a person, and then when you’re at home, it’s just difficult. Sometimes you don’t have people around, loving people around enough to be able to steer you in the direction that you need to.
“Like I said before, he’s human, and we all make mistakes. That’s just part of learning and getting better, and I’m hoping that he gets the help that he needs and that he comes out stronger and better on the other side because, like golf misses him. We miss him here this week.
“It’s always better when he’s playing golf tournaments because we love having him around, so it’s a little bit sad to not have him here this week.”
Adam Scott practising this week – image Augusta National
Adam Scott’s missed cut last year was just the third in 24 starts at Augusta National, and while there have not been a lot of top tens, his historic win in 2013 highlights his comfort zone with the layout and the special memories the event brings.
Scott has played some very nice golf in 2026, not missing a cut and finishing 4th at Riviera. I can see him finishing inside the top 20, but not sure about his chances of contending.
Cam Smith – with caddie Sam Pinfold this week – image Augusta National
Cam Smith arrives at Augusta with a very good record in the event before heading to the LIV Golf League in 2022. He has played solidly, although unspectacularly, in 2026 in LIV events, which are always hard to line up against PGA Tour events, but his record at Augusta National is quite outstanding.
Smith has five top tens in nine starts, including when runner-up behind Dustin Johnson in 2020 and 3rd behind Scheffler in 2022, so his liking for the layout where his short game skills have proven so valuable is clear.
“I think the course is in great shape, and it’s already pretty firm,” said Smith. “It seems like the grass is really full. It’s always in good condition here, but it seems like there’s just a little bit more grass. It’s a little bit fuller, and there’s no rain in the forecast. They can really do whatever they want, I feel like. It will be firm and fast, I would assume.”
When asked as to how his experience here would be used this week, Smith added, “I think just be smart, and then you’ve obviously got to play good golf. I think it’s a place where if you’re playing really good, you can be super aggressive. If you’re not playing so good, you have to play really smart and kind of get to the positions where you can get it up-and-down. It’s the same for everyone, though. Everyone has got to do the same thing.
Ryan Fox – in practice on Tuesday – image Augusta National
Ryan Fox was running into some very nice form, making every cut in 2026 and finishing a very tidy 7th at the Genesis event before being struck down with kidney stones during the week of the Players Championship.
Fox returned from hospital to miss the cut at the Houston Open two weeks ago, so his preparedness for an event of this nature is a bit hard to judge right now.
“It’s close,” said Fox, referring to his form. “I wanted to come back and play Houston. The body wasn’t probably in great shape, but I didn’t want four weeks off before this week, so I have been working really hard to find it again. “I hope I can come out on Thursday and get the competitive juices flowing again, along with the excitement of playing the Masters. I feel like I am a couple of good shots away from playing well in a tournament.”
Despite his medical issues, Fox feels he and his game are in good shape, and with two Masters tournaments behind him, he is keen to take advantage of what he has learned on a golf course that requires familiarity to succeed.
Tee Times
Karis Davidson records best LPGA Tour finish
Karis Davidson – image Golf Australia
Scottish-born but now Gold Coast citizen, Karis Davidson, has today produced her best finish on the LPGA Tour with a share of 5th place at the Aramco at the stunning Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas.
Davidson, whose previous best since joining the LPGA Tour in 2022 was when 7th at the 2025 Meijer Classic, produced an outstanding day on the greens today with just 11 one-putt greens and a total of 26 putts for her final round of 71 on the very demanding layout.
Davidson appears to have found something with her game of late, having finished 4th at the recent Women’s Australian Open, and although she finished seven shots from the winner, Lauren Coughlin, this week, she was just two shots from the second-place, Nelly Korda and Leona Maguire.
Her cheque for close to US$200,000 for her share of 5th place this week is the biggest of her career.
27-year-old Davidson moved from Scotland to Australia at the age of 9, and after an amateur career which included runner-up finishes at the Australian Girls and Australian Women’s Amateur Championships, she turned professional in 2017 and became one of the few Australians to play the Japan Ladies Tour.
Davidson made her way to the LPGA Tour in 2022 via Q School in 2021 and has continued to build platforms in her game ever since, although during a tough year in 2024, she was considering other career options.
Back on the LPGA Tour in 2025, she comfortably retained her playing privileges and the confidence she has gained in recent months should see her contending on a more regular basis in 2026.
The LPGA Tour now has a break of one week before the LA Championship followed a week later by its first major of the year, the Chevron Championship.
Today’s results
Travis Smyth’s year just keeps getting better
Travis Smyth – image Asian Tour
The last six weeks in the career of NSW golfer, Travis Smyth, has left the 31 year old with an embarrassment of riches in terms of playing options and this weekend he added to that elevation in his career with a win in the International Series Japan event and, with it, the biggest cheque of his career.
Smyth charged home over the final round of the event held at the Caledonian Club in Chiba near Tokyo to win the US$360,000 cheque – by some margin the biggest of his career, and take the lead on the Asian and Japan Tour’s Order of Merits to go with his success in leading the recently completed PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
Smyth began the year with a 3rd place finish at the opening event of the Asian Tour in the Philippines, then followed up with a great run in New Zealand where he finished 5th at both the NZ PGA and NZ Open Championships before winning in Auckland.
The Australasian Tour Order of Merit victory earned him a DP World Tour card for 2027 and a start at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July, the win in Auckland now has him with full Japan Tour status for 2026 given its joint sanctioning with the Japan Tour and of course he has status on both the Asian and Australasian Tours.
Smyth’s powerful finish, which saw him play the final six holes in 4 under, included a putt for eagle from 20 feet at the last to snatch victory over Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita, both of whom had finished at least an hour earlier.
Smyth’s nearest rival in the race for PGA Tour of Australasia honours, Cameron John, was the next best of the Australians when he finished in a share of 7th and earned a cheque for US$44,000, like Smyth securing his biggest career cheque to date.
Results
Raegan Denton impresses with 4th place Augusta National finish
Raegan Denton hits her tee shot at the 12th today – image Augusta National
18 year old South Australian Raegan Denton has finished in a share of 4th at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, her final round of 3 under 69 leaving her six shots from the runaway winner, Maria Jose Marin of Colombia, but just two shots out of second place.
Today’s final round was played over the famed Augusta National layout after the opening two rounds of the increasingly prestigious event were played at the nearby Champions Retreat, those making the 36-hole cut switching to Augusta National.
Denton, who earlier this year won the Women’s Australian Masters of the Amateurs, opened the proceedings on Wednesday with a round of 67, but after a second round of 72, she had slipped to a share of 6th.
Today, however, in what must have been a surreal experience on a layout to be used in just a few days for the first major of the year, Denton birdied five holes on her way to the turn and although bogeying the 10th and 11th, she steadied the ship for an impressive final round.
“I think there’s so many different emotions,” said Denton. “Just excitement, happiness just to be here, for one. Definitely some nerves for sure playing here today, and just overall really proud of myself. Today I could have definitely gone lower, but still, to shoot 3-under at Augusta, not a lot of people can say that, so I’m just really proud of that.
“It’s just so surreal. Even though I was told how big the crowds were, I don’t think I quite was able to picture it or expect it. I’ve played in a couple pro tournaments at home and the crowd didn’t even get close to this, so I was just shaking so much. But I was just so honoured to be able to get to have the experience.”
Denton will join the golf team at Louisiana State University later this year but she has already displayed the sort of game and competitive capabilities to make a career in golf a success.
Leaderboard
South Australian Raegan Denton makes cut at Augusta National Women’s Am
Raegan Denton – file image USGA
Australian Raegan Denton might not win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, being played this week in Augusta, Georgia. Still, she has ticked one of the boxes she had in mind for the week when she qualified to play the final round of the event at Augusta National on Saturday.
18-year-old Denton finished the opening 36 holes with a second round of 72 following her opening 67 to have her at 5 under and in a share of 6th place in the 54-hole event, six shots from the lead of American, Asterisk Talley.
The opening 36 holes were played at the Champions Retreat layout in Evans, Georgia, and she now gets to play Augusta National in a practice round on Friday and in the final round of the championship proper on Saturday, providing the chance to play one of the game’s most revered courses on two occasions.
Denton, who earlier this year won the Master of the Amateurs event at the Southern Golf Club in Melbourne, plays her golf at Royal Adelaide when at home, but is about to join the golf team at Louisiana State University.
A total of 32 golfers made the top 30 and ties cut, and for the second straight year, the number was under par at 1-under 143 over the par 72, 6,450-yard Champion’s Retreat venue.
Denton was the only Australian in the field, although New Zealand’s Eunseo Choi also received an invite but missed making it to the final round. She will, however, get to play Friday’s practice round at Augusta National.
Leaderboard
Lee and Day in impressive Masters warm ups
Min Woo Lee – shared 3rd place this week – image PGA of Australia
Min Woo Lee and Jason Day have completed their final competitive preparations for this year’s Masters with top ten finishes at the Texas Children’s Houston Open this morning.
Lee, who was defending the title he won 12 months ago, finished tied for 3rd place, six shots behind the winner, Gary Woodland, while Day finished another two shots back in a share of 6th place.
Neither player has entered this coming week’s Valero Texas Open and so they will head to Augusta National with their respective games in good shape for the opening major of the year.
Lee began today’s final round six shots behind the 54-hole leader, Woodland, but was unable to make any progress on the leader at least, Woodland eventually winning by five over Nicolai Hojgaard.
Day recorded a final round of 68 to finish eight shots from Woodland and recorded his second-best finish in six starts this season, his best coming when runner-up at the American Express event.
Both Lee and Day have done well in appearances at the Masters, Day with five top tens, including a runner-up finish on debut in 2011 and a 3rd placing two years later.
Lee finished an impressive 14th on debut in 2022 and has made two further cuts in a total of four starts.
Other Australians Karl Vilips and Adam Scott finished 19th and 21st respectively this week, Scott holing in one during his final round of 71.
Scott is, of course, in the Masters field, although Vilips, despite winning on the PGA Tour in 2025, has not yet qualified and has only this week’s Valero Texas Open to force his way into the field.
The winner this week was truly a fairytale, Woodland a former US Open Champion, having returned to tournament golf following brain surgery to remove a tumour in 2023. He eventually returned to the tour and was just recently involved in a very emotional and candid interview regarding the impact the treatment had on him, including massive anxiety attacks.
Woodland, who shared second place in this event last year, held on throughout the final round to win by five in what was one of the more emotional victories on the PGA Tour.
“I’ll tell you what, we play an individual sport out here, but I wasn’t alone today,” said the winner. “I got a lot of people behind me, my team, my family and this golf world.
“Anybody that’s struggling with something, I hope they see me and don’t give up, just keep fighting.
“Today was a good day. But I’m going to keep fighting. I’ve got a big fight ahead of me, and I’m going to keep going, but I’m proud of myself right now.”
Leaderboard
Cameron John completes fine season with National Tournament win
Cameron John – wins third event of season – image PGA of Australia
Victorian 26 year old, Cameron John, today won his third event of the 2025/2026 PGA Tour of Australasia and in doing so finishes the season in outright second place on the Order of Merit behind Travis Smyth, the difference between the pair being just 6.3 points, that margin also being the difference between Smyth securing a DP World Tour card for next season and John earning a Hotel Planner Tour (secondary European Tour) car
John’s Order of Merit title was, however, just reward for a consistent season that saw him miss only three cuts in 18 starts, though two of those came in two of the bigger events, the Australian PGA Championship and the New Zealand Open.
John today won at the first extra hole of a playoff against NSW golfer, Daniel Gale, in the final event of a seven-month-long season, the National Tournament played over the Gunnamatta layout at the National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. In a fascinating twist, it was Gale whom John defeated in this very event last year to win his maiden title.
Gale’s 9 birdie final round of 64, completed an hour before the final group of John, John Lyras and Matias Sanchez, set the mark for those behind on the golf course, only John able to match the total of Gale, who was chasing his third win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
The first extra hole saw Gale’s drive finish in an almost impossible position, and when John hit his approach to ten feet, the result was determined.
“I think it was a good year,” said John, perhaps stating the obvious. “I think I achieved so many goals, but things kind of shifted around a little bit honestly this season, but I’m happy with my golf and I feel like I’ve played the best golf of anyone this year.
John’s career has taken a huge leap forward this year, but so too has his personal life with the news that he is to become a dad later in the year.
“That’s going to be the most exciting thing for me. I mean, I’ve seen my oldest two brothers. They’ve both got kids of their own. My sister’s having a baby as well, so there’s going to be a lot of little ones running around, but Christmas time’s going to be something pretty special and I look forward to obviously being an uncle and also being a dad.”
The winners of the three main events on the PGA Tour of Australasia this season were David Puig (Australian PGA Championship), Rasmus Neergaard Petersen (Australian Open) and Daniel Hillier (New Zealand Open). Although none of those players played the required number of events, so they were ineligible for Order of Merit inclusion.
The PGA Tour of Australasia begins its 2026/2027 season in August.
Results
Final Order of Merit
Lydia Ko records her lowest ever LPGA score at Ford Championship
Lydia Ko – file image courtesy of USGA
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko has produced the lowest round of her LPGA Tour career with 12 under par 60 at the Ford Championship Presented by Wildhorse at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix.
Interestingly, however, the brilliant start to the week has her just one ahead of last week’s winner in California and the defending chmapion this week, Hyo Joo Kim,
“I think the number 59 did cross my mind by the time I holed my birdie putt on 6, but it wasn’t like the pressure was — like it wasn’t like I had a lot of pressure to like break 60,” said Ko. “It was just more like oh, it’s really cool to be in this position. I think that’s my career low score.
“I think the lowest score that I had before that is maybe at the Australian Women’s Open maybe, somewhere along those lines. Yeah, definitely a fun round to have.
“I don’t think I’ve ever actually started a round with four birdies, so it was nice to take advantage of the good start and continue that on my back nine as well.”
Ko began the season well with two top 5 finishes, but her last two weeks have been below her best, although a change of putter might have been the catalyst for the form reversal.
“I think, like as every golfer does, when things go well you also think about the things that could go terribly wrong as well. I feel like I stayed patient and was rolling it really well. Yeah, I actually put in a new putter this week. Like I’ve had my old putter for a really long time, like the same model, so it was kind of different just to have something else.
“And maybe it’s a honeymoon phase, who knows. But you take a more easy day like this on any occasion.
“It’s a new Scotty Cameron 12. As most people know I have a thing — I have my love towards Scotty Cameron putters, so it’s very unusual for me to change out of my putter.
“It’s been a while since I have tried a different model than the prototype that I have.
“It just rolled good. Went in the bag on Tuesday and I think even Paul at Scotty Cameron and Tom were kind of surprised that I was going to change.
“But I felt like you never know until you play out there and obviously I — this has only been one round but it’s a good start. You know, really couldn’t have been any better.
“I felt very calm. Honestly, like when I was younger I hated birdieing the first hole for some stupid reason. I think a lot of people have that kind of superstition. I’m like what happens when you hit it to a foot, right? It’s not like you’re going to miss that putt because you’re worried about what the rest of your day is going to be like.
“I got into a really good momentum and I think that is what helped me kind of stay in my zone. I really wasn’t out of position that many times so it’s a lot easier to be in that kind of rhythm and tempo.
“But I think when you’re in the zone, you’re just focused and there are not as many external thoughts going in and out of your head. You’re just focused on what shot you have in front of you, and then — and not get too carried away about the outcome of it.
“Staying in the zone is almost like being able to switch on and off between shots and having full commitment when you’re about to hit it. Outside of that, just being as relaxed as possible.”
Ko is currently the world number 8, having slipped from number 3 twelve months ago.
Leaderboard
Min Woo Lee returns to scene of PGA Tour victory
Min Woo Lee and his Houston Open trophy – file image Getty Images
Min Woo Lee returns to the scene of his first and only PGA Tour victory to date when he tees it up at the Texas Children’s Houston Open at the Memorial Park Course on Thursday.
Lee won the event by a shot last year, defeating Gary Woodland and Scottie Scheffler in a nailbiter to win the US$1.7 million of the US$12 million the 27-year-old has won to date in his still relatively young PGA Tour career.
Lee, who became the first golfer to win this event on debut in 16 years, is making his 7th start of the season, having recorded two top tens, and is currently in 8th position in the FedEx Cup standings.
Ahead of Thursday’s start, Lee spoke to the media as the defending champion.
“It was one of the best feelings in the world, to work hard and then hold that trophy at the end of the week. So hopefully I can do that this week and defend. But very excited for this week, playing very good golf. Had a nice week off last week. Yeah, it’s going to be a warm one, but I’m ready for it.
“Pebble was a very nice week,” said Lee, referring to his runner-up finish at Pebble Beach, one of two top tens this season (the other was when 6th at the Arnold Palmer event).
“It felt like I put four good rounds together. That’s all you have to do, you’ve got to put yourself in contention. I feel like I’ve been doing that, just getting a lot familiar with my game, putting well, and doing everything pretty solid.
“You’ve got to do that to win and put yourself in that spot. Yeah, it’s not rocket science, you’ve got to play very good. You feel like you can’t miss many shots over the course of the week to end up on top, and especially with great players like Scottie and Gary. Especially Scottie, he just doesn’t make a mistake. He rarely makes a mistake and just plots along and makes a lot of birdies. That’s what we’re all trying to do, and we’re getting there.
“It’s just something about this course I really enjoyed and really liked. I think I had a bit of an advantage, hitting it quite a long way. Again, just a great week to putt well. Yeah, it was just a great combination of those two things.
Someone who might well have been a thorn in his side this week, Scottie Scheffler, has withdrawn from the event, and when asked on that subject, Lee responded.
“Yeah, obviously Scottie not playing hurts that. I guess a few of us are saying, nice that he’s not playing. He’s a great player. And obviously, I’m not sure what the reason was, but yeah, again, it doesn’t matter if he plays or not, we again try to do the best we can.
“We’re trying to set up for major tournaments and big tournaments. He’s going to be there, so you can’t fear him or anything. Yeah, the field’s awesome. I mean, a lot of the guys, big hitters, I guess, come and play this event, so it’s fun. It’s one of those courses where it’s not penalizing, but it’s fun. Like, I think it was a good ending last year. Scottie up there, Rory up there, and I was just trying to keep in front. It was tough, it wasn’t easy. Winning’s definitely not easy. I was saying it a lot after the win; it was exhausting, but it was just an amazing feeling.
Lee will be joined in the field by fellow Australasians Jason Day, Adam Scott, Ryan Fox, and Karl Vilips.
Tee Times
PGA Tour of Australasia draws to a close at the National Golf Club
The National Golf Club’s Gunnamatta Layout – image PGA of Australia
Seven months after the 2005/2006 PGA Tour of Australasia began in Papua New Guinea last August, it reaches its climax this week with the staging of the National Tournament at the National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Played over the Tom Doak designed Gunnamatta layout, one of three courses at the complex at Cape Schank, the event brings to a conclusion the race for Order of Merit honours and, despite its relative minor standing in terms of prizemoney, plays a key role in determining the future of several golfers looking to either retain status on the PGA Tour of Australasia or take advantage of the benefits certain standings on the completed list offers.
The winner of the Order of Merit has already been determined. New South Wales golfer, Travis Smyth’s impressive run through the three recent events in New Zealand, allowing him to ascend to the top of the standings.
Smyth earned DP World Tour, Japan Tour and Open Championship playing rights courtesy of his efforts, in addition to his already established Asian and Australasian Tour status. Still, there are other benefits up for grabs this week.
Two cards for the 2027 Hotel Planner Tour (DP World Tour’s feeder tour) are on the line, as well as access to various qualifying for other tours later in the year.
As many as eight golfers have a mathematical chance of securing playing rights on the Hotel Planner Tour, although currently it is Victorians Cameron John and James Marchesani who are in 2nd and 3rd place behind Smyth.
At the other end of the scale are those vying to retain their playing privileges on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the leading 50 players able to play events in the 2026/2027 season.
Those not making it inside the top 50, and not otherwise exempt, will get another chance via the PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School beginning almost immediately at the Heritage and Moonah Links Golf Clubs, with the final to be played at the Sandhurst Golf Club a few days later.
The defending champion this week is Harrison Crowe, who has struggled for much of this season with a best of 10th in 12 starts and has slipped to 72nd on the Order of Merit, although his win last year assures him of status in Australasia for another twelve months.
It will be interesting to see if a return to a venue which provided him his first and only victory to date helps him regain some of the form which saw him finish 8th on the Order of Merit last year.
The tournament offers A$200,000 in prize money and 190 Order of Merit points to the winner.
Tee Times
Current Order of Merit