Watching two mates claim the coveted Asia Pacific Amateur has given Min Woo Lee a firm belief he can be the third Australian to win his way to the Masters at Augusta National.
Lee, younger brother of three-time LPGA Tour winner Minjee, headlines a six-strong Australian contingent at the prestigious amateur event held at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand this week.
Partnered by the Masters and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the Asia Pacific Amateur championship affords each winner major championship starts at the following year's Masters and British Open.
Having grown up playing against last year's Asia Pacific winner Curtis Luck and 2014 champion Antonio Murdaca, Perth native Lee said there's no reason he can't emulate his countrymen.
"I've played junior and amateur golf with Curtis my whole life; in Perth, around Australia and internationally," Lee told AAP from Wellington.
"I've also played with Antonio a few times and I know my game is just as good as those guys when they won."
Australia's superb history at the Asia Pacific includes Victorian Brett Colletta finishing runner-up to Luck in 2016 and teen star Ryan Ruffels bagging second place in 2015.
Amateur world No.32 Lee said the chance for an invitation to play the Masters and stay at Augusta National's famous Crows Nest amateur quarters is inspiring.
"I will have to block it out if I want to focus on beating the world's best amateurs," Lee said.
"But it's in the back of your mind and it's absolutely something you dream about."
Lee became the first Australian male to win the coveted US Junior Amateur championship last year, four years after sister Minjee took out the girl's title.
The 19-year-old also has runs on the board in the professional ranks, with top-10 results at the Western Australian and Victorian Opens, as well as a share of 35th at the Australian Open last year.
He says witnessing how life-changing the Asia Pacific Amateur was for fellow Western Australian Luck is a major motivation to get the job done.
Former world No.1 amateur Luck received US PGA Tour starts at this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational and Memorial events on the back of his Asia Pacific triumph.
"Winning the Asia Pacific is not just about getting to Augusta. It sets up your whole career," Lee said.
"It opened doors for Curtis to get into events.
"But winning the Asia Pacific also puts you on the radar of management companies and that can be vital for starts at tournaments when you turn pro."
Lee is joined by fellow Australians Travis Smyth, Harrison Endycott, Dylan Perry, Shae Wools-Cobb and Charlie Dann across the Tasman.
The Masters trophy will be at Royal Wellington, brought by recent Augusta National chairman elect Fred Ridley.
