Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch rates Australian contenders’ chances at the Masters

Min Woo Lee’s immense potential could deliver Australia more Masters glory – but how will his countrymen go? Ian Baker-Finch analyses the hopes of Australia’s leading contenders.

Min Woo Lee has broken through but barely touched the sides of his boundless capabilities, Australian golfing great and major winner Ian Baker-Finch believes.

Lee, 26, will enter this week’s Masters as Australia’s most likely prospect after his maiden PGA Tour victory at last month’s Houston Open.

But Baker-Finch said he still had questions over the Western Australian’s ability to grind out tournaments at the top level.

“One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” Baker-Finch told this masthead.

Min Woo Lee celebrates after winning the Houston Open last month. Picture: Getty

“He has so much talent that he could be doing what Jason Day did ten years ago in 2015 (in becoming the world No.1).

“He could be that good and Houston quantified that potential.”

Baker-Finch said Lee’s wayward final-round drive on the 16th fairway that found the water and almost cost him the win was symptomatic of his concerns.

“There was no reason for him to do that – he had a three-shot lead on a par-five he could easily reach in two,” he said.

“Why do you need to hit the longest drive of the week just to prove that you can?

“Just hit a two-iron down there 275. That’s the thing in my mind that is stopping him from being the champion we all know he can be.

“And hey, I love him and think he’s got a fantastic talent, and I hope he gets to No.1 in the world, but he should be doing what he did in Houston more often.”

Baker-Finch, the PGA of Australia chairman, said he believed mixing it with the world’s best players as part of Tiger World’s new indoor TGL golf league had helped Lee understand his true potential.

“That’s been a big plus for him – he’s hanging out with the right people,” Baker-Finch said.

“He’s coming into the Masters hot.”

Is former champion Adam Scott still a contender heading into the Masters? Picture: Getty

Fellow Australian Adam Scott, 44, hasn’t banked a win in five years but remains a contender at Augusta, Baker-Finch said.

Scott has climbed back to No.32 in the world in a campaign Baker-Finch describes as “one last push” in a glorious career.

“He knows it’s getting close to the end. He’s in his early 40s and it just seems to me that Scotty is giving it that one last push – that one last shot,” the CBS Masters broadcaster said.

“He can still mix it with the best and has a great mindset.”

Scott had the added advantage of being a previous winner at Augusta National twelve years ago.

“He drives down Magnolia Lane knowing that he deserves to be there and he’ll be coming back forever,” Baker-Finch said.

“He wears the green jacket and it’s got to bring back fond memories. I know what it’s like for me just going back to the Open not playing – it gives me a little bit of spark just being there.

“And for Scotty, going back (to Augusta) has got to feel like home for him.

“He knows the place well and has all these great vibes.”

Scott, Lee, Day, Cameron Smith and Cameron Davis are the only Australians in the Masters field.

Day, the world No.36, has also found form after reuniting with swing coach Colin Swatton.

“He always works hard and maybe having Col back might give him that spark,” Baker-Finch said.

Open winner Cameron Smith has trailed off since defecting to LIV, but has a great record at Augusta boasting five top-10 finishes including a tie for second in 2020 and tied for third in 2022.

“Cam’s always a chance at Augusta because he loves it so much,” Baker-Finch said.

“He may not have been playing at the level we are used to seeing, but I would never count him out around there. I think he’s going to get up for it and train his arse off leading into it. He hits it far enough now and his short game is great.”

Originally published as Former Open champion Ian Baker-Finch rates Australian contenders’ chances at the Masters