The message is sinking in for Min Woo Lee, who is now reminding himself to give “the extra ounce” required after a weekend of reflection at the Masters.
Fresh off a breakthrough PGA Tour win, Australia’s newest No.1 entered Augusta National with high hopes that quickly faded in a horror third round on Saturday.
Min Woo Lee, of Australia, watches his tee shot on the fourth hole.Credit: AP
The 26-year-old finished six-over-par (71, 72, 77, 74), while his tournament at least climaxed with a trademark hole-out from the 18th greenside bunker for par.
There were four birdies on Sunday but six bogeys, Lee often scrambling out of pine trees off the tee and missing putts he’d usually make.
He was penalised a stroke when the ball moved as he went to address it on Saturday and admitted he was rattled when warned for slow play.
“Mentally … you’ve got to be technically there but you need a combo of both to be really good here,” he said.
“Yesterday I just let it slip away.
“A bit of maturing and realising and learning from this moment.
“That’s why Augusta is Augusta. It’s very fun, but it can hit you hard, too.”
The week began with mentor Jason Day – Australia’s world No.1 for 51 weeks a decade ago – telling reporters Lee needed the work ethic to match his talent.
He even got Karrie Webb to get in Lee’s ear at the Olympics, stressing a “lifestyle change” was in order but that the world was his oyster.
“A lot of people believe in me to be a really great player, but when you kind of hear it a couple times from someone that’s been there, it really gets into you,” he said of Day’s advice.
“If you don’t want to put in an extra couple minutes or extra hour of golf, you tell yourself, hey, this is what he’s talking about.”
AAP
