News

Danny Lee creating a stir

February 23, 2009

New Zealand amateur Danny Lee, 18, won the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, Australia, last week, a resounding victory that has the golf world abuzz, notably at home.

"We can probably chuck the marketing budget in the bin now to be honest," Bill MacGowan, New Zealand Golf chief executive, on the impact Lee will have at the New Zealand Open.

Lee moved up 404 places in the World Ranking and is now 158th, despite his amateur standing that has limited his play in events in which he can earn points. He's now the third-ranked New Zealand player, behind only David Smail (93rd) and Mark Brown (119th).

-- John Strege