Min Woo Lee shares the lead at Players Championship after two rounds

Having been in contention at the Players Championship in 2023, a ‘level-headed’ Min Woo Lee is ready to pounce this year after a great opening two rounds.

Min Woo Lee’s “big learning curve” at the 2023 Players Championship has him confident of a better outcome at this year’s edition of the event, golf’s biggest tournament outside of the four majors.

Perth product Lee shot a second-round six-under 66 to move to 11-under and lead the $US25 million ($A40 million) event at TPC Sawgrass alongside American Akshay Bhatia.

“This is a great start – I’ve just got to keep playing well,” said 26-year-old Lee, who is chasing his first PGA Tour win.

Two years ago in the same event, Lee played in final group in the fourth round only to shoot a 76 – which included a triple-bogey on the fourth hole – and finish in tie for sixth.

Min Woo Lee plays a shot out of a bunker during the second round of the Players Championship. Picture: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images/AFP

“(That was a) big learning curve – especially the fourth hole,” Lee said.

“That’s probably one shot (that he hit in the water) that I regret in my career

“It was a wedge that I got steep on and it’s been the narrative for a long time.

“With my approach play, I just see the ball flight coming in low and I get a little bit too steep. It’s nice to actually just hit it up in the air and trust it.

“That’s a big part of why I’m getting a little bit better with my approach play. (I’m) a bit more level-headed and (there has been) a lot of learning between then and now.

“I’m really happy with the way I’m controlling the ball.”

Among those lurking heading into the third round are star pair Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa, who are among three players tied for fourth at nine-under.

Adam Scott has missed the cut at the Players Championship. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP

“These guys are in contention week in, week out. They are very good golfers, so hopefully I can get to that stage one day,” said Lee, whose second round seven birdies and a bogey.

“We’re all trying to win out here. It’s tough. There are a lot of close calls by a lot of people.

Lee will be the only Australian left in the field for the final two rounds after Adam Scott (two-over), Karl Vilips (six-over) and Cam Davis (12-over) missed the cut.

Meanwhile, Queenslander Cam Smith shot a four-under 67 to be tied for third after the opening round of LIV Golf’s Singapore event at the par-71 Sentosa Golf Club layout.

Smith trailed leader American Dustin Johnson by four shots, with Victoria’s Lucas Herbert a shot further back at three-under.

Originally published as Min Woo Lee shares the lead at Players Championship after two rounds