Sydney (Reuters) – Australia’s Min Woo Lee and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino are tied for the lead after the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, setting the stage for a final-day showdown.
Last week’s Australian PGA Championship winner, Lee, managed to even the score by sinking a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole, finishing his round with a one-under-par 70 to reach 13-under.
Hoshino, on the other hand, catapulted to the top with a six-under-par 65, recording an eagle at the 14th hole and a birdie on the 18th.
British golfer Alex Fitzpatrick and American Patrick Rodgers are still in the mix, tied for third place on 12-under after shooting 66 and 68, respectively.
Despite a strong start, Lee stumbled with a double bogey on the third hole, allowing his competitors to close in on him.
“It was a bit of a grind,” Lee commented. “But golf is golf. I felt like I got a little unlucky with some lip-outs towards the end.”
Meanwhile, former U.S. Masters champion Adam Scott (67) remains within striking distance at five shots off the lead, and Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open winner, is trailing by seven shots after a round of 69.
Notably, the Australian Open features a unique format where both men and women compete for their titles on the same course.
Reigning women’s champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa made an impressive comeback during the third round, finishing on 12-under to take a three-stroke lead over former world number one Shin Ji-yai.
Minjee Lee, Min Woo’s older sister and a double major winner, is currently in third place on five-under after shooting a 67.
With the stage set for an exciting final day, golf fans eagerly await to see who will emerge as the champions of the Australian Open.
