New Zealand golfer: Danny Lee
Inspired by watching his mother play, Danny Lee began his golfing career at the age of eight and 10 years later became the youngest person ever to win the US Amateur Golf Championship.
It was a feat that surpassed the performance of legendary golfer, Tiger Woods, and made Lee a household name virtually overnight.
Since then, in February 2009, Lee has confirmed his reputation as one of the world's most exciting young golfers by winning the professional Johnny Walker Classic (Perth, Australia). This win made Lee not only the tournament's youngest winner, but also the youngest player to win a professional European Tour event, and the first amateur winner of an Australasian Tour event in 10 years.
Amateur golf’s most coveted prize
Lee (born 24.07.1990) was 18 years old when he became the first New Zealander, and the ninth non-American, to win US golf’s most coveted amateur prize - the Hayemeyer Trophy.
As the youngest US Amateur winner, Lee eclipsed Tiger Woods previous record by six months and 29 days. Woods won the amateur title three times.
New Zealand citizenship
Born in South Korea, Lee and his family came to New Zealand in 1999 and settled in the tourist town of Rotorua in the North Island. He was educated at Rotorua Boys High School, a secondary school that has produced many New Zealand sports champions.
Danny Lee was officially granted New Zealand citizenship in 2008 when he was honoured in a special ceremony at his home course, Springfield Golf Club in Rotorua.
Golfing career
The teenager has competed in countless national and international tournaments and has represented New Zealand in a number of team events.
Lee is rumoured to have turned down sponsorship offers of more than $US100 million following his US Amateur win, honouring a commitment to New Zealand Golf rather than turn professional.
Lee is expected to turn professional in April 2009. His amateur title provides automatic entry into the Open Championship and US Open, and includes an invitation from Augusta to play the Masters.
2009 tournament results
- winner Johnny Walker Classic (Australia)
2008 tournament results
- winner US Amateur Championships (USA)
- winner Western Stroke Play and Amateur Championships (USA)
- winner Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship (Australia)
- winner North Island Stroke Play Championships (NZ)
- winner NZ Under 23 Teams Championship - leading individual
- winner Grant Clements Memorial
- runner-up New Zealand Under 23 Championship
- semi - finalist Australian Amateur Championship (Australia)
2007 tournament results
- winner New Zealand Match Play Championships
- winner New Zealand Under 23 Championships
- winner South Island Stroke Play Championships
- winner Harvey Norman Classic
- runner-up Callaway World Junior Champs (15-17 age group) (USA)
- runner-up Dogwood Invitational (USA)
- runner-up Youthtown Wairakei Open (NZ professional)
- runner-up Grant Clements Memorial
- runner-up Individual SBS Invitational
2006 tournament results
- winner New Zealand Under 23 Championships
- winner Grant Clements Memorial Open
- winner Te Puke Open
- runner-up Wairakei Amateur Open
- runner-up New Zealand Under 19 Championships
- runner-up Waikato Stroke Play
- runner-up Harvey Norman Classic
2005 tournament results
- winner NZ Secondary School Championships - leading individual
- winner under-15 age group, North Island Under 19 Championship
- runner-up 13 - 14 age group, Callaway World Junior Championships (USA)
More information:
World's youngest golf champion becomes New Zealander
Golfers head for The Hills downunder
Profile - Michael Campbell
Profile - Sir Bob Charles
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
