Fast Learner

The Age

Wednesday December 10, 2008

Martin Blake

Young Kiwi ace has a big decision to make, writes Martin Blake.

WHEN Danny Lee first came to Royal Sydney to play an Australian Open as a shy, 16-year-old in 2006, he bombed spectacularly. Rounds of 85 and 79 left him free for the weekend to ponder the slick pace of the seaside course's bent grass greens.

But Lee is back two years on as the youngest US amateur champion, and he has a target in mind for this week's Open. "It's tough out there. This week's goal is to try to break 80," he joked yesterday as he rounded out preparations for the nation's premier golf championship.

Lee, 18, a Korean-born New Zealander, is one of the hottest properties in world golf, having overtaken Tiger Woods as the youngest winner of the US amateur title when he triumphed in August. Woods was seven months older when he won the first of his three titles in 1994.

No one doubts Lee's talent or work ethic. Golf Australia has placed him in one of the marquee groups with veteran Peter Senior and South Africa's Tim Clark for tomorrow's opening round. On recent form - he was just outside the top 10 at the Australian Masters and also prominent in last week's Australian PGA - he is a realistic chance to win this week.

"I haven't seen him play, but from all reports he's unbelievable," said Geoff Ogilvy, Australia's top-ranked player.

"All I know is that I hear from everywhere that he's going to be an unbelievable player, a big player in golf sooner rather than later."

The kid from Rotorua knows he is better-equipped this time than he was in 2006. "I've grown up," he said.

"Also, I'm striking the ball much better than a couple of years ago. I've just got to get used to fast greens, I think."

Lee is quickly coming to grips with the idea that golf can be his job. Having lived for 10 years in New Zealand, his command of English is to the point where he openly jokes with the media, showing himself as a likeable character.

"I was really shy when I was young. Now I want to be friends with everybody."

Starting out with Senior and Clark tomorrow will scarcely daunt him. "It doesn't give me pressure," he said. "I just think: 'This player is a great player, what am I going to learn from him'?"

Lee is confronting a difficult decision soon, and admits it presents a quandary. His US amateur victory gives him a start at the US Masters at Augusta in April (one that he intends taking up), and the US and British opens (which he is unsure about). He is playing so well there is pressure for him to turn professional immediately, in which case those exemptions would be cancelled.

"I've been asking other players and now I have too much advice," he said. "My head is just spinning around. I don't know what to do."

© 2008 The Age

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