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Aussie rookie Min Woo Lee shines in Saudi

West Australian Min Woo Lee has finished fourth at the inaugural Saudi International in just his second European Tour event.

Min Woo Lee
Australian rookie Min Woo Lee finished fourth in the Saudi International. (AAP)

Australian youngster Min Woo Lee is off to a flying start in his professional golf career after a dazzling weekend performance gave him fourth place in the European Tour's Saudi International.

In just his second professional start, 20-year-old Lee came away with 152,479 euros ($A241,000) in prize money after he produced a second consecutive seven-under par 63 to finish at 15 under against a strong field.

He was four shots behind world No.3 Dustin Johnson, who carded a 67 to win by two strokes from China's Li Haotong (69) with Englishman Tom Lewis (65) a further shot away.

Lee missed the cut at his first pro start in Abu Dhabi but now sits 28th on the European Tour's Race to Dubai rankings.

The long-hitting Lee topped the tournament driving distance stat at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City with an average 334.5 yards and was fourth for putts per round (27.5).

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"I didn't know what to expect today," Lee said.

"I just knew that I had to keep my head in the game, really, and hit every shot really fully committed. I'm happy that I did.

"I know those guys are superstars. I just said, play my own game and I'm glad I posted a good score.

"I'm just happy with my second start as a pro.''

Lee's veteran countryman Scott Hend (67) was four shots behind him at 11 under in a tie for sixth place, along with American Bryson Dechambeau (65), who won in Dubai last week.

Lee's next start is in Panama on the PGA Tour's secondary web.com Tour this week.

Johnson recorded five birdies in his final round, including the last two holes as he finished on 19-under-par.

Li had gone into the final 18 holes on a high after firing four eagles, including a record-breaking three eagle-twos, in his third-round 62.

But he fell away early on his back nine on Sunday, with three bogeys hampering his hopes of an impressive win.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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