Aussie Lee woos Masters crowd with record boost

Australian golf sensation Min Woo Lee has lit up Augusta National with a record-breaking Masters debut.

Lee briefly stormed into fourth place in the standings after tying the all-time lowest front nine with a staggering six under par 30 on the sport’s most famous course.

The 23-year-old made the par-5 second hole and then netted four straight birdies to move within two under and within seven strokes of third-round leader and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

However, Lee’s challenge fell through with four bogeys in a row to start the back nine before another birdie on 16 left him tied for 14th by two points in a hugely impressive first Masters.

“It happened so fast,” Lee said after signing for a 70-under-two round.

“Misconducting on one, made a good 10 feet for par.

“I needed to go to the bathroom. Hit my reader. Ran to the bathroom. I went down there and hit an 8 iron, which is unreal.

“Hit him right above the bunker, near those sprinklers right above the bunker, and he went three feet.

“Then it went really fast. Just nice – hit some really good shots on the front nine.

“I just learned it was equal to the course record for the front nine. So pat on the back.

The younger brother of LPGA Tour star Minjee Lee says he will gain massive confidence from his first visit to Augusta.

“At the start of this week I wasn’t playing very well, so this place takes you to another level just because you’re in front of millions of people and you have to play well,” Lee said.

“There are some demanding shots here, and it kind of gives you a reverse psychology and tells you that you just have to commit to it.

“If you have a bad swing, you have a bad swing, but you just have to commit on every shot here.

“I didn’t feel very good with the putter, and in the last few weeks I think I’ve gained a lot in strokes on the putter.

“So really positive vibes there. I’m going to take a few weeks off now and work on a few things, but maybe a little celebratory drink with the team tonight.

© AAP