7 birdies send Lee three shots ahead

BRISBANE, Australia – Min Woo Lee fired seven birdies in a five-under-par 66 Saturday to take a three-stroke lead over Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino into the final day of the Australian PGA Championship.

The Australian rising star began on top of the leaderboard at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, one clear of veteran Adam Scott, and never relinquished the advantage.

In overcast conditions, he had wobbles with bogeys at four and eight but kept his cool to be 17-under for the tournament as he edged closer to victory at the opening event of the DP World Tour’s 2024 season.

Japan Tour stalwart Hoshino carded a 64 to be outright second, with his putter running hot on the back nine, where he rattled in six birdies.

Australian Curtis Luck, who nailed a hole-in-one on Friday, fired a bogey-free 66 to be a shot further back, one ahead of two-time tournament winner Scott, who is six behind Lee after an even-par 71.

“I played solid, I’m pretty happy with the way I went,” said Lee, who is chasing a third win on the European circuit following victory at the 2020 Vic Open and the Scottish Open a year later.

“There was a little mishap in the middle, but I came back nicely. I’ve been hitting amazing shots and if I do have those blemishes, well, it’s just golf.”

Along with Hoshino, Scotland’s Connor Syme was a big mover after six birdies in his opening nine holes. He signed off with a 64 that left him joint fifth alongside Australia’s Lucas Herbert.