Australian Min Woo Lee pulled off an astounding par save on the 18th hole to put himself just one stroke off the lead after round one of The Players Championship in Florida on Friday (AEDT).
The victory hopes of fellow Australian Jason Day were dashed when the event’s 2016 winner withdrew without teeing off due to a stomach issue.
But Lee carried the Australian flag in fine fashion at TPC Sawgrass en route to registering a five-under 67 in the first round.
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The 26-year-old trails US pair Lucas Glover and J.J. Spaun as well as Colombian Camilo Villegas by one stroke.
A breathtaking par save out of the rough on the par-four 18th ensured the Paris 2024 Olympian did not finish further behind.
“Oh my god, what is that?” Lee bemoaned after hitting his tee shot way right with his two-iron.
Min Woo Lee makes an incredible escape at TPC Sawgrass. Fox Sports
He then bounced his second shot from the rough, across the cart path and into the pine straw just right of the fairway.
But what followed was a glorious punch shot with his pitching wedge that ran up onto the green, and came to settle 22 feet behind the hole and 10 feet from the water.
A clinical putt for par iced the great escape.
“Managed to produce the worst swing of the day about 40 yards right of where I wanted to hit it,” Lee said of his tee shot.
Min Woo Lee putts on the 17th hole at The Players Championship. Getty
“I was just very happy to have a par putt. I literally had no shot. That third shot could have easily gone in the water had I just pulled it, but used a bit of magic and tried to cut up a pitching wedge out of the pine straw, and it was absolutely perfect.”
Respected publication GOLF.com described Lee’s par save as “unbelievable” on social media.
Adam Scott faded late and posted a two-over 74, while fellow Australian Cam Davis struggled en route to a four-over 76.