Lee leads golf’s Macau Open after ‘flawless’ day continues flying start

Min-woo Lee backed up his fast start to the SJM Macau Open with another impressive display on Friday, and this time it will earn him a spot in the record books.

A day after matching the course record 62 from preferred lies, the Australian carded a seven-under-par 64 to move to 16 under overall, the lowest two-round total in the event.

Starting the day level with David Drysdale, Lee moved three shots clear of the field, with Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, who won in Taiwan three weeks ago, behind him on the leader board following a 62.

South Korea’s Jae-woong Eom and Meen-whee Kim are third, four shots off the lead. Drysdale carded a 71 to remain at nine under and ended the day in a tie for 12th.

Despite playing what he called “flawless golf”, Lee missed several birdie opportunities, including from four feet on the last.

“I played really good, didn’t get myself in too much trouble, and the last two days have been probably the lowest two days I’ve ever played, so it’s been fun,” he said.

Taichi Kho said “mental management” issues and some loose shots caught up with him in his round of 69, in which three bogeys offset the five birdies. It moved him to seven under for the tournament, and in a tie for 23rd.

Compatriot Matthew Cheung fell agonisingly short of making the weekend, his total of three under leaving him one shot adrift. Leon D’Souza and Terrance Ng also missed the cut.

Separately, Alex Yang and Shane Kuiti will play in the Hong Kong Open next month after grabbing the top two spots in this week’s 36-hole qualifier.

Yang, who became the first Hongkonger to play in a major at the US Open in June, finished at three under, edging out Kuiti – a teaching professional at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course – by one shot.

Having finished in a tie for 13th at his first Hong Kong Open in 2020 as a 17-year old, Yang said he was “very excited” by the prospect of playing in the International Series event.

“The Hong Kong Open is a great tournament and it is a lot of fun having the home crowd behind us,” he said. “I’m looking forward to an exciting week.”