BEIJING: South Korea’s Lee Chang-Woo earned a place at the US Masters with a commanding Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships win which left defending champion Guan Tianlang trailing on Sunday.

Lee, 19, held his nerve for a three-shot victory after firing 70, 72, 69 and 70 for three-under 281 at par-71 Nanshan International Golf Club, with Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa second.

Lee, who was second alongside Rory McIlroy at last week’s Kolon Korean Open, will now follow China’s Guan, 15, by playing at the Masters, and also gets a shot at qualifying for the British Open.

“Playing in the Masters has been my dream since I started playing golf,” said the Seoul native.

“I didn’t think I would have an opportunity (to ever do so), so this is a great honor, as is playing in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship. I have never been so excited.”

He added: “Everything worked well during the last two rounds... I can’t believe I am going to go to the Masters. I think I will only realize it tomorrow.”

Hasegawa also earns a spot in the Open qualifying tournament, but there was disappointment for Guan, who finished eight shots back in a share of eighth.

Guan had harbored hopes of emulating last year’s dream outing at the Masters, when he became the tournament’s youngest player and the youngest to make the cut, and was the highest placed amateur.

“It’s been a pretty amazing year for me,” said Guan. “I didn’t defend my title this week, although I felt like my game was good, but I really appreciate the opportunities the tournament has given me.”

China’s Dou Zecheng, 16, who started the day one shot back from overnight leader Lee, struggled to a 75 and finished with a share of fourth.

Leading scorers (par 71):

281 — Lee Chang-Woo (KOR) 70-72-69-70

284 — Shohei Hasegawa (JPN) 72-70-71-71

285 — Kenta Konishi (JPN) 76-71-68-70

287 — Lucas Herbert (AUS) 73-75-71-68; Lee Soo-Min (KOR) 73-70-74-70; Dou Zecheng (CHN) 68-75-69-75

288 — Oliver Goss (AUS) 72-73-71-72

289 — Brady Watt (AUS) 71-74-73-71; Pan Cheng-tsung (TPE) 72-73-73-71; Kazuya Koura (JPN) 74-69-74-72; Guan Tianlang (CHN) 74-74-68-73