Danny Lee makes it official:
World No 1 amateur turns pro
Danny Lee (New Zealand), the R&A WAGR No 1, today officially announced that he has turned professional. The 18-year-old, Korean-born but a naturalised New Zealander, will be managed by IMG in a deal reportedly worth $10 million over three years. An equipment contract with Callaway, whose clubs Lee used to win both the 2008 U.S. Amateur and 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, is expected to be finalised over the next few days.
Lee's last nine holes as an amateur were not something he will want to remember - 11-over-par 47 in the second round of the US Masters on Friday after shooting two-under-par 34 to the turn.
A SIX-putt from 12 feet at the 10th hole, and the 9 that ensued, laid the foundation for two hours of misery, a sad end to the teenager's brilliant amateur career.
By turning professional, he forfeits the spots earned as an amateur into this summer's Open and US Open. Family friend Rambert Sim says Lee will likely try to qualify for Bethpage, but not Turnberry.
Lee will make his professional debut the last week of April at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, one of six US PGA Tour sponsor's exemptions he has already accepted. He can accept one more, as the tour limit is seven, but all other berths he will have to earn through either top-10 finishes or by earning enough money (roughly $500,000) to gain special temporary status. Of course, a win would be a simple way to bypass these exemption headaches and get his 2010 card immediately.
Anthony Knight, who caddied for Lee at this year's New Zealand Open, is to become Lee's regular bagman for the season. Knight has also caddied in the past for another of New Zealand's great players, Michael Campbell.
World No 1 amateur turns pro
Danny Lee (New Zealand), the R&A WAGR No 1, today officially announced that he has turned professional. The 18-year-old, Korean-born but a naturalised New Zealander, will be managed by IMG in a deal reportedly worth $10 million over three years. An equipment contract with Callaway, whose clubs Lee used to win both the 2008 U.S. Amateur and 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, is expected to be finalised over the next few days.
Lee's last nine holes as an amateur were not something he will want to remember - 11-over-par 47 in the second round of the US Masters on Friday after shooting two-under-par 34 to the turn.
A SIX-putt from 12 feet at the 10th hole, and the 9 that ensued, laid the foundation for two hours of misery, a sad end to the teenager's brilliant amateur career.
By turning professional, he forfeits the spots earned as an amateur into this summer's Open and US Open. Family friend Rambert Sim says Lee will likely try to qualify for Bethpage, but not Turnberry.
Lee will make his professional debut the last week of April at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, one of six US PGA Tour sponsor's exemptions he has already accepted. He can accept one more, as the tour limit is seven, but all other berths he will have to earn through either top-10 finishes or by earning enough money (roughly $500,000) to gain special temporary status. Of course, a win would be a simple way to bypass these exemption headaches and get his 2010 card immediately.
Anthony Knight, who caddied for Lee at this year's New Zealand Open, is to become Lee's regular bagman for the season. Knight has also caddied in the past for another of New Zealand's great players, Michael Campbell.
Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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