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While Rachel Lee has been competing in the Australian Open over the past two days, her closest friends were at school in maths and science classes.
The 16-year-old amateur was the overnight leader on the women’s draw after her first round on Thursday, carding a six-under 67 at The Lakes.
She made the turn at two-under and caught fire on the back nine, where she made five birdies – including on the 18th hole in sideways rain moments before play was suspended – and a bogey.
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Although her second round in the unique split-course tournament at The Australian on Friday wasn’t so good – she carded a seven-over 79 – she did enough to make the weekend for the second time in as many years.
She made the first cut last year too, when the tournament was split across Victoria and Kingston Heath Golf Clubs on the Melbourne sand belt last year, but missed the second cut on the Saturday night.
Lee, who is a member at Avondale in Sydney’s north, is all-in on golf and going pro.
“That’s the dream,” she told Wide World of Sports on Friday evening.
“I’ll probably go to Q-school after high school, or maybe play in Japan or Korea – I’ll see where it takes me.”
Q-school is qualifying school – essentially a series of tournaments from which the best performers earn their cards to play on the Australasian PGA Tour.
Q-schools across the world follow a similar format, although perhaps unsurprisingly the US’ is regarded as being the toughest.
Another way aspiring young golfers from Australia try and crack the big time is through the US college system, where many win scholarships to compete while also completing their studies.
But Lee said studying isn’t really her style.
“I know a couple of other people who went to college, but I don’t think I’m too interested in college right now,” she said.
“I’m just going to keep grinding.”
One of the hardest parts about golf is the mental aspect, and a player’s only direct on-course support comes from their caddy.
This weekend at the Australian Open, Lee’s caddy is her mum.
“Mostly I do the work, but she basically just carries the bag for me,” she said.
“She doesn’t like to get in my way sometimes, but we work really nicely together.”
Lee said it was that mental aspect that cost her in her second round on Friday.
Starting on the 10th, she made bogies at 12 and 13, but got them straight back at 14 and 15. She made another bogey at 18, but again won it back on the 1st.
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But then the demons said hello.
She made bogey on the fourth, saved par on the fifth, but came home in an ambulance – two bogeys and two double bogeys in her final four holes.
“It wasn’t too great … I did have a shoulder cramp, but that’s not really an excuse,” she said.
“It was my mental game – I don’t think I was in it that much, I didn’t like where shots were going and I think I wasn’t too confident.
As an amateur, Lee cannot win prize money – she’s effectively playing for pride and recognition.
But, a strong result could potentially land her a sponsor who might be able to support her with equipment and whatever else as she chases “the dream”.
“Right now, I don’t have much to lose,” she said.
“I’ll definitely try my best to regain my confidence again.
“The first day was good, so I’ve just got to try and stay in focus.
“It’s not over.”
Rachel’s third round will commence from the 10th tee at 12.32pm on Saturday with Kylie Henry and fellow amateur Jeneath Wong.
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