Danny Lee becomes NZ's highest paid athlete
17 Apr 2009
Teenage Rotorua golfer, Danny Lee, has become New Zealand’s highest paid athlete after signing a lucrative deal with International Management Group (IMG).
The deal is thought to be worth NZ$17 million to the 18-year-old, and puts the now professional Lee above footballer Ryan Nelsen who had formerly held the title of New Zealand’s highest earning athlete.
IMG handles the affairs of six of the world's top 10 golfers, including Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Vijay Singh.
Lee is due to make his professional debut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans next week (23.04.09).
US Amateur winner
Lee has been on IMG's radar for a couple of years, well before he won the US Amateur in August 2008 and became the youngest player to win a European Tour event at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth (February 2009).
After signing the IMG agreement, Lee said he was very proud of what he’d accomplished as an amateur but felt it was the right time to challenge himself at a higher level.
"I have already gotten a good sense of how much I can learn and grow from competing against the pros, especially last week being around so many great players at the Masters."
Lee played the recent US Masters tournament as an amateur, missing the cut with rounds of 74 and 81.
Endorsement deals
IMG spokesman Clarke Jones said the entire world of golf was excited about Danny Lee joining the professional ranks.
"His performance at this year's Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour clearly proves Danny has the talent to make an immediate impact in the world of professional golf. IMG is honoured to be working with Danny and his family to help him achieve his goals," said Jones.
American media reports claim IMG has already secured endorsement deals with Callaway Golf and Elord clothing. They are also said to be close to a deal with MasterCard.
Fellow top NZ golfers
New Zealand's Michael Campbell joined IMG shortly before he won the US Open in 2005, and it is known that Lee has sought out Campbell's advice in the months leading to his departure from amateur ranks.
Former leading New Zealand golfer Greg Turner said that if the money talked about in Lee’s deal was correct, it would be one of New Zealand golf's bigger pay days.
"That's a pretty big number. I would imagine he would be feeling pretty pleased with himself at the moment," Turner said.
The former New Zealand Open winner suggested it would ease some burdens on Lee but would add different pressures. "I guess it will take a lot of pressure off him as far as his everyday finances go but ... it is going to add some pressure with the expectation on him now."
Turner hopes Lee can fulfil the talent he has shown to date and fly the New Zealand golfing flag proudly.
He said that if Lee could become a leading player on the world stage it would show younger players he had played with in New Zealand that they, too, could make it to the top.
Further golf tournaments
In addition to New Orleans, Lee has secured sponsor exemptions to play the Quail Hollow Championship (30 April - 3 May), the Byron Nelson Classic (21 - 24 May), and the Colonial (28 - 31 May).
He is also exempt into The Memorial (4 - 7 June) and the National at the Congressional Country Club (2 - 5 July) by virtue of his US Amateur victory last year.
Lee was expected to play in Asia this year at the Singapore Open, HSBC Champions in Shanghai and Hong Kong Open.
Lee’s amateur win at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth in February 2009 earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA European Tour and a spot in this year's WGC Invitational.
Background information:
Profile: NZ golfer - Danny Lee
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
