Lee named country's best in a bad year

Craig Tiriana | 2nd February 2010

For exploits in 2009, former Rotorua rising star Danny Lee has been named New Zealand's Golfer of the Year.

Now based in the United States, Lee was honoured when the gongs were given out at the New Zealand Golf-New Zealand Professional Golf Association's joint awards in Queenstown during the weekend.

The award came to Lee as he was the only Kiwi to win a major tour event last year. The former Rotorua Boys' High School and Springfield Golf Club star won the European Tour's Johnnie Walker Classic while still an amateur last January.

With top-ranked Kiwi professional David Smail unable to win in Asia or Australasia and former US Open winner Michael Campbell's continued downward slide, Lee was the standout in a non-eventful year for New Zealanders playing the professional game.

Now a 19-year-old fledgling professional, Lee wasn't on hand to receive his trophy.

He had good reason. He was playing the third round of the Qatar Masters - his first weekend appearance of the year - after missing the cut in three previous outings on the European Tour. He has a two-year exemption to play that tour.

Lee scraped in under the cutline with a two-over par total, courtesy of a couple of rollercoaster 73s.

Lee's third round was like his young career so far. It promised plenty, with four birdies, but solid progress up the leader board was halted by four bogeys, including one on the final hole which saw him finish on even par for the day - and tied for 50th overall - heading into the final round this morning (NZ time).

Lee has undoubted potential as a former world No 1-ranked amateur and past winner of the US amateur title. He is working on his swing with Texas-based coach Sukki Jang.

 Lee is very much in a transition stage. He needs to learn to deal with new courses, travel and the pressure of making every shot. He should be given some time to make it happen.

Problem is, New Zealand golf needs a star quick-smart.