As the 89th Masters Tournament unfolds at Augusta National, all eyes are on Min Woo Lee, the rising star of Australian golf. With his recent victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, Lee has positioned himself as a serious contender, and even Jason Day, a former world No. 1, believes he has what it takes to become Australia’s next male golfer to claim the top spot.
During a practice round on April 8, 2025, Lee joined fellow Australians Jason Day and Cameron Smith, both of whom have impressive records at Augusta, with Day finishing in the top five three times and Smith boasting four top-six finishes. Lee, who has two top-25 results in his previous three appearances at the Masters, comes into this year’s tournament with newfound confidence after claiming his first PGA TOUR title.
Lee’s journey to this point has not been without its challenges. Just a year ago, he arrived at Augusta nursing a broken finger and feeling under the weather. Now, he’s ranked No. 23 in the world and is the highest-ranked male Australian player, surpassing the likes of Day, Smith, and Adam Scott.
“It’s pretty surreal actually,” Lee said, reflecting on his current ranking. “I mean, it’s crazy. I looked up to these guys and I still do. It’s awesome to be the No. 1-ranked Aussie. I still feel like a little kid growing up and I don’t feel 26. I feel 18, 19, 20 as a youngster.”
Day, who spent a total of 51 weeks as world No. 1, has been a mentor to Lee, offering advice on how to navigate the pressures of elite golf. “It’s all up to him if he wants to get to No. 1 and to that next level,” Day commented. “Obviously, there is work ethic and that desire to become No. 1 in the world. It’s a lifestyle change he has to understand.”
After his victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open on April 6, Lee took a moment to celebrate but quickly refocused on his Masters preparation. He spent the week leading up to the tournament dining at nice restaurants in Las Vegas with his girlfriend and sister, LPGA star Minjee Lee. “It was nothing crazy and it was a good week to chill out before this one,” Lee said. “I actually found it very hard to keep sleeping. I just wanted to be up and checking my phone and was buzzing for the whole week.”
As the tournament progresses, Lee’s impressive skills on the course are drawing attention. He regularly reaches over 190 miles per hour for ball speed with his driver and has a world-class short game. His iron game has also improved significantly, allowing him to hold Augusta’s notoriously slick greens. “I’m getting more comfortable here,” Lee noted, referencing his previous performances at the Masters, where he finished T-14 in 2022 and T-22 in 2024.
For Round 1 of the Masters, Lee has been paired with Collin Morikawa and 2023 Australian Open champion Joaquin Niemann, a grouping that highlights his rising status in the sport. “It was nice, that’s cool,” Lee said of being in a featured grouping. “I love playing here; it’s my favorite place and I’ve played well before. Maybe [Augusta officials] see I can make some birdies and mix it with everyone.”
As the tournament continues, Lee’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. With his recent success and the backing of experienced players like Day, the 26-year-old has a real shot at not just making a mark at the Masters but also establishing himself as a future world No. 1. “If he can really enjoy that and just improve over time, he’s got the best chance to become No. 1 from Australia,” Day stated, underscoring the potential he sees in Lee.
With the first round tee times set for April 10, 2025, Australian fans are eager to see how their stars perform. Tee times for the Australians are as follows: Cameron Smith, JT Poston, and Aaron Rai at 10:52 PM AEST; Min Woo Lee, Collin Morikawa, and Joaquin Niemann at 11:47 PM AEST; Jason Day, Phil Mickelson, and Keegan Bradley at 11:58 PM AEST; Cameron Davis, Rafael Campos, and Austin Eckroat at 12:48 AM AEST; and Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, and Viktor Hovland at 3:01 AM AEST.
As the excitement builds at Augusta, the question remains: can Min Woo Lee capitalize on his momentum and make a significant impact at this prestigious tournament? With the support of his fellow Australians and his own determination, the sky's the limit for this talented golfer.
