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SINGAPORE - New Zealand golfer Danny Lee is letting his father handle the heat as international management companies compete to sign him to a professional contract.
Amateur star Lee's signature is becoming increasingly sought-after as speculation mounts that he is on the verge of turning pro.
Lee, who finished 32nd in the US$5 million ($9 million) Singapore Open yesterday, was observed earlier this week in the company of Tony Bouffler, head of the Sydney-based AJB Sports Management, which looks after the business affairs of numerous top Australasian golfers.
Andrew Chandler, head of the England-based International Sports Management (ISM), was another to introduce himself to the Lee.
Gaylord Sports chief executive Steve Loy was in Singapore looking after the interests of its leading golf client Phil Mickelson but it also didn't stop Loy extolling the virtues of Lee eventually signing with his company.
Moments after Lee had completed his closing round yesterday he was met by an Asian Tour-based representative of golf's largest management company, IMG, which runs the business affairs of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and New Zealand's Michael Campbell among countless other golfers.
"I've met a lot of managers this week but I let my dad and my uncle handle that aspect," Lee said.
"It's nice to meet everyone but I've got no idea what is going on and all I am doing is concentrating on my golf."
Lee was speaking after a disappointing final round 77 that saw him slip to a six-over finish, which was still enough to be the leading amateur.
Had Lee been a professional he would have earned US$37,000 ($66,475).
"It was a poor finish and I put four balls into the water today and that was because I was going for the greens," he said.
"I put that down to my inexperience because that's the difference between me and the older pros as their course management is a lot better than mine.
"It is something I will learn over time but I really enjoyed the week on a great golf course."
Lee said he had accepted an invite into this week's US$2.5m Hong Kong Open, a co-sanctioned event with the European Tour.
"I've only been to Hong Kong before and that was in transit at the airport," he said.
"So it's going to be another exciting week for me and then after Hong Kong I am heading straight for Melbourne and the Australian Masters."
- NZPA
