Rookie tour professional Danny Lee excelled in elite golf company in the United States today.
The New Zealand 19-year-old found himself sharing leaderboard space with a host of top names late in the first round of the US$8.5 million ($12.9 million) WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
The youngest player to contest a World Golf Championship event, Lee opened his account with a two-under-par 68, which was good enough to earn him a share of seventh place.
Joining him on that number were Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, American Hunter Mahan and Australian Robert Allenby.
They were two shots behind the joint pacesetters Prayad Marksaeng and Tim Clark.
Thailand's Marksaeng birdied his first three holes on the way to a share of the lead with Clark.
Those still on the course included world No 1 Tiger Woods, fresh from his fourth PGA Tour win of the season in the Buick Open on Monday (NZT).
Woods was at two-under after 14 holes, as was Spain's Sergio Garcia.
Lee held his game together well today and was particularly tidy on the greens as he required just 25 putts.
He forced his way into a share of fourth place before a bogey six on the 16th.
He began in composed fashion with birdies on the second and fourth hole but they were wiped out with bogeys at the ninth and 10th.
Lee then got on a roll with birdies at 11, 12 and 14 before giving a stroke back at the 16th.
- NZPA
Golf: Great start for Danny Lee
Danny Lee
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