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.
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Kirsten Rudgeley 5th in Open de Espana
Rudgeley in action in today’s final round – image LET
Kirsten Rudgeley has finished 5th at the Ladies European Tour’s season-ending Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana, the Perth golfer recording her second-best finish of the LET season.
Rudgeley had led into both the third and the final rounds before a final round of 73 saw her finish five shots from the winner, Aditi Ashok of India.
Rudgeley has finished 30th in the Race to Costa Del Sol official rankings for the season in what is her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour, her best finish being when 4th in the Ladies Irish Open.
SCORES
Min Woo Lee holds off early challenge to win Australian PGA Championship
Lee celebrates the hole out at the 9th for eagle which came at a crucial time in his final round – image AGM
Min Woo Lee is the 2023 Australian PGA Champion following a final round of 67 at Royal Queensland today, giving the 25-year-old West Australian a three-shot victory over Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino.
Lee began the final round three ahead of Hoshino but by the time the pair had reached the 3rd tee they were tied up at 16 under after Lee had bogeyed the first and Hoshino birdied the opening two holes.
Through nine holes the gap had opened to four shots in Lee’s favour, however, mainly due to a holed pitch and run from 50 metres at the par 5 9th for eagle and, although Hoshino would birdie the same hole, the margin was four as they headed to the 10th tee.
Despite three bogeys by Lee on his closing nine, Hoshino could do little to bridge the gap and Lee would win his first flagship title in Australia and his 4th victory as a professional by three shots.
The victory will improve Lee to 40th in the world ranking and assure him of a return to Augusta National where he has already shown a capacity to play well having finished 14th on debut in 2022.
“I have always thought I could win but it has taken a little while to get over the hump but two wins in the last month or so makes me very proud of my team and myself.”
“It’s number 1 for sure. I mean, Scottish was obviously big and Vic Open’s big. Right now this is obviously the top, in front of Australia, in front of my family. It was special. I’ve been waiting for so long to play really well in Australia and I’m glad I did it this week at the Aus PGA. I’m really happy with the way I played the whole week.
“I knew it was coming, my team knew it was coming, but it was just a when question, so it was nice to get it done.”
As to the confirmation of a return to Augusta National Lee was delighted.
“Yeah, it was kind of in the back of my head if I missed cut the next two weeks, this week and next week, I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I was really confident in myself and knew if I played well that would solidify itself.
“I’m really excited. It’s one of the best places on earth for myself. I rate it so highly and it’s the best place to go. I rank that one the number one Major, obviously the Open’s right behind it, but yeah, Augusta’s a special place. I can’t wait to go back.”
Lee was clearly relieved after things got a little tight early in the round today but he nominated the chip and run for eagle at the 9th as a key turning point.
The hole out at the 9th was crucial for a swinging momentum at the time and Lee was very much aware of the importance that particular shot played in the win.
“I think that was probably the best atmosphere shot I have ever but at that point it was getting close and I was in a pretty average position off the tee so to chip that in was amazing. I want to see it as it was one of the best shots I have probably hit.”
Rikuya Hoshino – kept Lee honest throughout the final day – image Australian Golf Media
Hoshino finished runner-up with Marc Leishman producing the best final round (64) to finish in 3rd place, one shot behind Hoshino.
Hoshino was humble in his post-round interview interview and praised the winner and the event.
“I would like to congratulate Min Woo and his amazing play,” said the six-time winner in Japan. “This was my first time playing in Australia and my first time being here and I had a lot of fun playing in front of such big crowds.
“I was very sharp and achieved a good result so I’ll do my best to win next week as well.”
Curtis Luck recovered from a slow start to his round with a back nine of 31 for a round of 69 and 4th place alone.
The PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour now move to Sydney for this week’s Australian Open Championship at the Australian and Lakes Golf Clubs.
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Mike Hendry – making hay while the sun shines
Mike Hendry – overcoming the odds – image Australian Golf Media
With the Australian PGA Championship signaling the homecoming of many local players after a year of competing elsewhere, there are many storylines and often feelgood stories to be told as the Australian golfing public is reacquainted with not only their golfing stars but some at a lesser level also.
While not an Australian, it is hard, however, to go past the significant performance of New Zealander Mike Hendry this week, the 44-year-old not only making the cut but after a round of 64 on day three, moving into contention early in the day after having only just made the cut on the number.
In May of this year, Hendry had been diagnosed with leukemia, forcing him to take an indefinite break from the game while he underwent the treatment he needed.
In March and just a few weeks after finishing 6th in his own national open in Queenstown, Hendry had finished runner-up in an event on the Asian Tour, securing a start at the Open Championship but with the news of his illness, to miss a start at the Open was yet another blow to the Aucklander.
Hendry underwent the treatment he required to overcome the life-threatening illness and returned to tournament golf in September at the Tauranga Open, one of the Charles Tour events in New Zealand and just two weeks later was back in the winner’s circle when successful at the Clearwater Open in Christchurch.
It wasn’t a big event, admittedly, but given the circumstances and the story behind the win, it was an emotional victory and made Hendry aware that he was headed in the right direction as far as his golfing career was concerned.
“Obviously, the trials and tribulations that I’ve been through this year I’ve been pushing hard to get back to the game, and to do this in my second major tournament back is pretty surreal to be honest. I’m blown away,” said Hendry at the time.
Hendry has won the New Zealand Open, twice the New Zealand PGA Championship, the Vic Open in Australia and the Token Homemate Cup in Japan but the win in Christchurch must surely been one of his most satisfying because of what it meant to his playing future.
Hendry is not out of the woods completely in regards to his cancer prognosis and is still undergoing stem cell treatment but given the future he faced in May, that he is back playing and competing as well as he now is, suggests things are very much headed in the right direction and the outlook a lot less gloomier than earlier in the year.
Returning to the PGA Tour of Australasia at the Queensland PGA Championship in November, Hendry would make the cut and would finish 14th the following week at the Gippsland event in Victoria.
Opening rounds of 69 and 73 at this week’s Australian PGA Championship had him sweating on even being around for the weekend in fact he had to wait most of the afternoon for his inclusion in the weekend field to be confirmed.
“I was back at the hotel before we knew,” said Hendry when asked if he knew his fate before he left the course on Friday. “I had left my clubs here. I knew I was going to come and do some practice if I didn’t play. It is what it is.
“My caddie, Ryan (Chisnall) said that we needed a birdie on the last, and he was right to make sure that we make it. Managed to make a scrappy par and walking off thought that was that for the week. Obviously got fortunate with a couple of late bogeys from a couple of the other boys and I suppose a bit of luck led to a positive outlook today and all of sudden you have a good round.
Then came his bogey-free third round of 64 to move him to the edge of contention almost before the leaders had hit off.
He enters today’s final round tied for 14th after a day of low scoring by those teeing off later on Saturday but the statement he made with his fine play on Saturday was a tonic not only for Hendry but for his many fans in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Hendry remains upbeat about his future determined to get the best out of whatever the future holds.
“Yeah, I feel good. The good thing is now it seems that they’ve managed to get the medication right when they give me the bone marrow biopsy now.
“It’s painful even though I’m medicated, but the day after there’s no pain, so that’s a real bonus because the first few really hurt for a few days afterwards, almost like you’ve got a really bad lower back. But thankfully the last few have been pretty painless after the fact. I was a little bit nervous as to whether it was going to hurt, but it’s been absolutely fine, which is good.
“There’ll be another one in 11 weeks’ time, blood tests every six weeks. Bone marrows every 12 weeks at the moment just to monitor what’s going on. At the moment it seems to be doing what it’s told, but who knows what the future holds, but we’ll just try and make hay while the sun shines.”
Min Woo Lee extends lead at Australian PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee gets his round underway today – image Australian Golf Media
Min Woo Lee began round three at the Australian PGA Championship seemingly locked in a battle against one of his golfing idols over the final 36 holes, Adam Scott, but, in golf, the obvious does not always work out the way they are meant to and while Scott is not altogether out of things, Lee’s nearest rival for tomorrow’s final round is now Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino.
Hoshino stormed into contention with a third round of 64 to be just three shots behind the leader with West Australian Curtis Luck another shot back and alone in third place.
While Hoshino is not a recognizable name in this country, he is a six-time winner and five times runner-up on on the Japan Golf Tour and his round of 64 today, including a homeward nine of 29, suggests he might yet offer Lee a battle for his first flagship title in Australia tomorrow.
Lee has won the Vic Open as a European Tour event previously but this is the time-honored Australian PGA Championship and will be a significant feather in the 25-year-old’s cap.
Lee built on his overnight lead early and by the turn he was two ahead of Scott and three ahead of Curtis Luck and Lucas Herbert but three birdies on the way home stretched his lead to three as Scott and Herbert dropped off the pace.
Lee was delighted ahead of tomorrow’s final round. “Again I played pretty solid. A couple of mistakes but that happens and overall pretty happy with the way I went today.
“I expected to play pretty well this week. I have been hitting the ball so well all year and the results have been there. I stuffed up on 8 today but other than that I think everything has been up to par in terms of how I have been going.
“Tomorrow hopefully I can keep going. I can only control what I can do and tomorrow hopefully I end up happy with the way I played.
“I’m here because I have played aggressively all week and played to my game plan and that will be the same tomorrow.”
Luck and Lee played a lot in junior golf in Perth although their careers have taken different directions since.
Luck added a seven birdie third round of 66 to move into contention albeit four behind Lee.
“We completely grew up together and played all the time, and played all the same events growing up,” said Luck of Lee. “So yeah, it’s going to be amazing. I haven’t played with Min Woo – I haven’t even played with Min Woo in probably 10 years, let alone in a tournament, so I’m super looking forward to it.”
“He was always a great player, there’s no doubt about it and like a prospect out of WA. I think we all knew that he was going to be good. He’s always been a bit of a stud.”
Lee, Luck and Hoshino will play in the final group together tomorrow.
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Perth’s Kristen Rudgeley leads Open de Espana
Kirsten Rudgeley during the second round – image LET
West Australian Kirsten Rudgeley is a surprise leader at the Open de Espana in Andalucia, the 22 year old moving two shots ahead of a group of five golfers heading into the weekend in the final event of the 2023 Ladies European Tour schedule.
The British-born but Australian raised since the age of 4, Rudgeley, currently 43rd in the Race to Costa Del Sol ranking in her rookie LET year with three top tens to her name, is playing her 20th event of the season. Her best finish this season came when 4th at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
“It was good, again I played really steady golf,” said Rudgeley. “I holed some good putts, missed some putts but that’s just golf and I’m just going to keep going and see what happens.
“The wind definitely wasn’t there this afternoon as much as it was yesterday, but some of those pins made up for it. If I walk past a leaderboard, I will have a look, but it doesn’t really bother me either way. I just play my own game and see what happens.
“I just play golf and you can’t do anything about it, so you just have to keep playing and see what happens. The target to make as many birdies as possible is always a good target, but we’ll see. I want to play golf, enjoy it and take it all in.”
Rudgeley is perhaps aided by having a family member of the bag this week.
“I have my uncle on the bag which is really nice, and we just went for a walk and chatted the whole way around. He knows absolutely zero about golf! I don’t think too much when I’m out there but it’s always good having family on the bag.”
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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.
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Curtis Luck rediscovers artistry at PGA Championship
The hole-in-one certainly aided Luck’s cause but his play was impressive nonetheless – image AGM
Admittedly aided by a hole-in-one at the 8th hole of his morning round on day two of the Australian PGA Championship, 27-year-old West Australian, Curtis Luck, took a share of the lead at the completion of his second consecutive round of 67, joining Lucas Herbert at the top of the leaderboard around midday on day two.
“It was obviously a rough start out there for me, so it was a bit of a grind early,” said Luck referring to a couple of early bogeys on day two.
“But I think basically from hole 16 through 9, just there I had good looks the entire way. I think it would be fair on my part to say I could have actually ended up going a bit deeper. Had a lot of putts ride over the edge of the hole, but having a hole-in-one and kick-starting it back on track when you’re 1-over in pretty tough conditions was what I needed. Just managed to stick with it and make a few more out there.
Luck, a former US and Asia Pacific Amateur Champion and West Australian Open winner as an amateur, played his way onto the PGA Tour a couple of years ago but in 2023, despite a strong finish to his season on the Korn Ferry Tour, he had not done enough to return to the PGA Tour in 2024.
Having witnessed first-hand, in my role as on-course commentator at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship he won in 2016, the considerable skills and artistry he possesses, it is perhaps a surprise Luck has not done better in the US but his time will surely come and a strong showing this week might be just what he needs to get things moving in the right direction.
Despite his results, Luck feels there is improvement in his game referring to better driving as the catalyst.
“I think one of the things I’ve done better this year compared to previous years is my driving’s improved considerably. I’m not costing myself as many shots off the tee as I have been in the last few years.
“My wedge play this week particularly has been unbelievable but I think playing out there on that Tour you sort of almost get a bit like, you don’t realise how good you’re wedging it because everyone seems to wedge it so good out there. Then I’ve come here and I’m like, actually, I’m wedging it amazingly. Let’s keep it up. So, yeah, wedge play’s just been really good so far this week.”
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Moscatel Nachshon’s early leads holds up
Marcatel Nachshon in action today – image Australian Golf Media
As play drew to a close on day one of the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland it became clear that the brilliant morning round of 63 by Spain’s Joel Moscatel Nachshon would remain at the top of the leaderboard heading into day two.
Moscatel Nachshon was out in the morning field, but in the last few groups of that group, and avoided some of the very early breeze and light drizzle and so had almost perfect conditions. But even allowing for such, the 25-year-old produced a brilliant course record-equaling round highlighted by a stretch of five consecutive birdies in the middle of his closing nine.
“Yeah, it was nice,” said the leader. “I didn’t even know which was the course record, we just play our golf and it was so nice to equal that record. It was so fun today.”
Moscatel Nachshon only narrowly missed his DP World Tour card at the recent Q School but gained a start at Royal Queensland through a category where those just missing their tour cards were eligible.
“At the start of the first stage of Q School a guy from the DP World Tour told us that if we were making the cut, (after 72 of the 108 holes) we could play these events. So was no doubt if I was making the cut to come over here and see Australia and play those tournaments here.”
Missing out on his full playing rights was disappointing for Moscatel Nachshon but he was and is philosophical about the outcome as he now has full playing rights on the Challenge Tour which he did not have previously.
“It’s hard but at the same time I was playing on a satellite tour and had some invites on Challenge Tour, so being able to plan a full schedule on Challenge Tour was a big thing for me even if I wasn’t having a DP World Tour card. I wanted to have it, but one shot in six days is nothing. So, it is what it is.”
When asked about the possibility of winning this week the leader was not getting ahead of himself.
“I mean, I know it, (what’s at stake) but as I said, we still have to play three more days of golf, so it’s a lot of tournament left. In the Spanish Open one of my best friends was leading at one point. He finished the first day third and you always think like he’s going to win, but there’s a lot of golf to play and a lot of good players.”
Moscatel Nachshon leads by one over Min Woo Lee and by two over NSW golfer John Lyras who finished joint runner-up at this year’s New Zealand Open.
Adam Scott is amongst a large group at 5 under but one of the pre-tournament favourites Cam Smith struggled to a round of 73 and will need perhaps a round of 67 tomorrow to make the weekend with the cut looking at this stage to be 1 or 2 under.
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Cam Smith’s slow start in Australian PGA Championship defence
Cameron Smith during his early morning round today – image Australian Golf Media
The defending and three-time Australian PGA Champion, Cameron Smith, has made a surprisingly disappointing start to the 2023 version of the event after his opening round of 73 left him ten shots off the early lead set by Spain’s Joel Moscatel Nachshon.
Smith, was off in the second group of the day from the 10th tee but struggled to take advantage of the relatively calm early conditions and after making the turn in even par 35 he was already falling well off the pace.
Dropped shots would come at his 16th and 17th holes, his round of 73 leaving the Queenslander needing a round of perhaps 3 or 4 under tomorrow to make it to the weekend and give his legion of local fans something to look forward to over the closing 36 holes.
Smith was clearly disappointed and upset given what were no doubt considerable expectations beginning the day.
“It was frustrating, upsetting,” said Smith. “Yeah, I really couldn’t get anything going, just couldn’t get it close enough to the hole. I felt like I’d hit a half-decent shot and it would go to 30, 40 feet and really not have a shot at birdie. Yeah, it was just scrappy.”
Just when he was hoping for a strong finish to get his round under par he would bogey his 16th hole (the par five 7th), Smith blaming the need to push too hard, the cause of a bogey on one of the easiest holes of the day.
“I just tried to hit the driver off the deck. That’s one of those things when you’re having a bit of a bad round, you try for a bit too much. It should have been three wood to the front of the green there and a chip up the green, but when you’re trying to chase something, yeah, it was just a bad shot in and left myself in a really bad spot. Ended up making bogey there on probably what’s going to be one of the easiest holes today. So yeah, frustrating.”
“I think this morning with the rain and the wind, the ball wasn’t going very far,” added Smith referring to the conditions over his opening few holes. “It was actually a little bit tough those probably first five or six holes, but then like you said, the wind really laid down and yeah, the greens are soft, so there’s no reason why you couldn’t have gone low from there. It was just pretty terrible golf.”
Smith knows he has a lot of work to do if he is to have any hope of working his way back into contention and was asked if he needs to be aggressive to do so.
“I’d like to think I’m just in general a pretty aggressive player anyway, but a lot of stuff to work on this afternoon to feel comfortable. It was getting to the point out there where it was just hard to really just commit to a shot. I felt like I was over the ball not knowing what I was going to do, which is a pretty bad place to be in on a golf course, especially when you’re trying to beat these guys.”
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Min Woo Lee heads early Australian assault at PGA Championship
Min Woo Lee – in action today – image Australian Golf Media
Min Woo Lee led the early Australian charge for success at the Australian PGA Championship, the West Australian taking advantage of the relatively calm early conditions to record an opening round of 64 to be one behind the morning lead of Spain’s Joel Moscatel Nachshon at Royal Queensland.
Cloudy overhead conditions and the absence of wind saw Lee make his way to the turn in 34 but it was his closing nine of 5 under 31 which proved the making of the 25-year-old’s impressive start.
Coming off a year that has seen him record a best-ever finish in a major when 5th at the US Open, finish 6th at the elite Players Championship, play his way onto the PGA Tour in 2024 and win the Macao Open on the Asian Tour, Lee has elevated his standing to 45th in the world.
Lee has finished 4th in his previous two attempts at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland and when asked today how he felt both physically and mentally compared to his previous two appearances in the event he responded;
“I skipped South Africa just because I wanted to be fresh for these two events and I felt like my golf was in a pretty good position. I kind of struggled the first week out trying to get things kind of going, but this year it’s been pretty solid, so I thought I’d start in Dubai and finish off these two. But I feel fine now. A bit of jetlag the last couple of days, but we can’t really do too much about that, flying from Dubai.
“I was actually pretty nervous (today), which I haven’t really felt in a while, just before the round, but that’s usually good for me. I’d rather not get too comfortable. But I felt really good out there and it’s awesome to have such a big crowd, especially at 6 o’clock in the morning. It was solid. I’m happy they came and supported us.
“This is probably the biggest crowd I’ve got all year. Obviously, there’s exceptions at the Masters and Open but a regular event, it’s massive, you know Aussie. There needs to be more sport in Aus and we all love playing in front of the crowd.”
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