The Aussie trio of former champ Adam Scott along with Cam Smith and Marc Leishman are delighted compatriot trio of Cameron Davis, Lucas Herbert, and Min Woo Lee will be making their Masters debut next week at Augusta National
Davis, 27, brilliantly celebrated a maiden PGA Tour success on the 4th of July last year with his playoff victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, so the Sydneysider had just over nine months with the knowledge he would be in the field for the 83rd hosting of the Masters.
The 26-year-old Bendigo-born Herbert secured his debut Augusta appearance in ending 2021, and in a year he captured also a maiden PGA Tour win with a victory last October in the Barracuda Championship, by being 41st on the World Rankings.
Perth-born Lee, 23, breathed a huge sigh of relief in ending 2021, and in a year he won the Rolex Series Scottish Open, No. 49 in the world and just inside the top-50 to make this coming week his maiden Masters.
That’s six Aussies, three that include a Masters winner, one with a joint second in a combined 34 appearances, and three ‘Down Under’ rookies who between them enjoy eight professional victories.
Three Aussies on the tee at Augusta Natoinal with Marc Leishman teeing-off, and watching on is Adam Scott and Cam Smith (Photo – Getty)
Scott ended an agonizing 77-year golfing wait, and becoming the second Australian to halt the nation on a Monday morning (Australian time) for the first time in 30-years since Australia II ended a 132-year yachting wait to capture the 1983 America’s Cup, when he was fitted for a Masters green jacket.
And Scott’s naturally delighted for Davis, Herbert and Lee.
“I was naturally delighted for all three – Cameron, Lucas and Min Woo – to qualify for the Masters”, said Scott.
“I been able to see Cameron close hand as he’s playing on the PGA Tour, and the manner he won play-off to capture the Rocket Mortgage spoke volumes for his talent. I sure he can do well this week.
“Lucas has been impressive for some time. He’s won twice on the European Tour, including last year’s Irish Open to qualify for The Open, and then in just a handful of events he wins in Bermuda for his PGA Tour win. That speaks volumes for his talent and his confidence.
“As for Min Woo? That was a big win for m last year in Scotland and he has a lot of firepower in there, like Cameron and Lucas. He’s the youngest of the three, but that does not detract from his talent.
“Though after winning a Rolex Series event last year, he’s probably set lofty goals for himself this year and it’s nice to see one of those is next week, and playing his first Masters.”
Leishman and Smith were specifically asked about the chances of Herbert and Lee, given they are relatively fresh into their careers competing on the PGA Tour, and with Leishman first about what he thought of Herbert, and his fellow Victorian.
“It’s great that the likes of Lucas, Min Woo and also Cameron who are going to be playing their first Masters, and it’s really good for Australian golf”, said Leishman who has a best finish of T4th behind Scott in the 2013 Master.
“I’ve know Lucas well enough, and also played alongside him in Maui. He’s doing well, not only on the European Tour, but now on the PGA Tour. Winning the Bermuda last year was huge and now to have qualified for the Masters is great.
“Min Woo and I played a practice round with him a few years back at the Australian Open, and that was the last time I was in Australia. It’s great too that he’s qualified, and it’s good there are so many young guys now making their presence known in the majors.
“It’s exciting for golf and hopefully for us old fellows (smiling), we can hang around for a bit longer”.
Smith, and the only player in Masters history to shoot four rounds in the 60s, and also the PGA Tour record-setting ‘Mr 34-Under’, like Lieshman also knows Herbert and his game well.
“I grew-up playing a little bit of golf with Lucas while Min Woo is much younger, and it was emerging onto the amateur scene in Australia when I was kind of close to turning pro,” said Smith.
“Min Woo is a great talent. I’ve watched him on the range, and also watched him on th TV competing the European Tour events, and he’s impressive. And with Lucas and Min Woo each playing the Masters for a first time, the future of Australian golf is in good hands.
“We’re going to have a good showing there this year. It would be a good one to watch!”
With six Australians teeing-up at Augusta National it makes Australia the third highest country representation. The following countries make-up the 91 players teeing-up next Thursday.
- United States (44)
- England (8)
- Australia (6)
- South Africa (5)
- Canada (3)
- Ireland (3)
- Japan (3)
- Korea (3)
- Spain (3)
- Italy (2)
- Scotland (2)
- Austria (1)
- Belgium (1)
- Cayman Islands (1)
- Chile (1)
- Fiji (1)
- Germany (1)
- Mexico (1)
- Northern Ireland (1)
- Norway (1)
The Masters have been played 86 times, with the inaugural tournament dating back to 1934. Of those 86 tournaments, 53 different players have earned a green jacket, including 17 golfers who won multiple times. Jack Nicklaus owns the most victories with six and Tiger Woods next best with five wins.
