Australian golfer Min Woo Lee has catapulted into the lead at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship in Wellington courtesy of an 18th-hole eagle.
Lee, who went into the second round at Royal Wellington tied second, carded a three-under-par 71 on Friday to grab the outright lead at the halfway mark.
The 19-year-old West Australian finished with a birdie-birdie-eagle flourish to take a one-stroke lead over China's Yuxin Lin, with overnight leader Shae Wools-Cobb of Queensland slipping to third a further shot back.
Lee, the younger brother of LPGA player Minjee Lee, is the longest hitter on the six-strong Australian team, but it has been his putter which has put him in the lead.
"It has been a while since I've holed a putt that long. It just happened at the right time," said Lee, who won last year's US Junior Amateur and was runner-up in this year's Australian Amateur.
"I was feeling pretty low on the back nine and not pumped up, then I got a kick-on from Ritchie (Smith)," said Lee of his coach handling caddie duties this week.
"I was one-over after 15, then we looked at the leaderboard and realised I was only two or three shots back, so just a couple of birdies would get me closer."
Wools-Cobb had held a four-stroke lead after firing an eight-under opening-round 63, but stuttered badly in the second round with a three-over 74.
Wools-Cobb said he would have a good chat on Friday night with Lee.
"Hopefully, we can boost each other around the golf course. I've grown up playing golf with him since I was 13.
"Pound for pound, he's one of the strongest. He hits it a mile, has always got short irons into the green and he's pretty aggressive.
"My strength is usually my putting and he putts pretty well, too, so if we both get them rolling tomorrow, that would be awesome," Wools-Cobb said.
Lee, who drove 374 yards on the par-4 ninth, said he'd received some advice from his sister.
"I spoke to Minjee last night. She's pretty boring and just told me to hit every fairway, every green and hole your putts. I guess she's right, really."
Nick Voke is among the best-placed New Zealanders, but has slipped from a share of second after an opening 67 into a five-way share of fourth after a second-round 72.
He is joined by compatriot Kerry Mountcastle, who backed up his opening 69 with a steady one-under 70.
The winner of the championship earns a spot in the 2018 Masters and direct entry into The Open Championship at Carnoustie in 2018.
Share
