KEY POINTS:
It's late in San Diego and Danny Lee _ the world's top amateur golfer _ has just returned to his uncle's home after blitzing a US Amateur qualifying tournament by five strokes.
"Have you got a few moments to chat?" I ask over the phone.
"No," he says, in what becomes the familiar monotone of a hesitant English speaker. There is an awkward silence.
"Just kidding," he continues in his slow and precise way, and I do the laughing for both of us.
From thousands of kilometres away, an honest charm breaks through Lee's strained English.
The 18-year-old Korean-born golf star from Rotorua, who came to New Zealand aged nine, is on top of the world.
The American Golfweek rankings rate him the number one amateur, while the British Royal and Ancient place him at number two.
His recent success includes the stroke and match play honours at the highly regarded Western Amateur in Michigan, something achieved by Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank, Curtis Strange and Ben Crenshaw.
Lee's brilliant form in the one-day, two-round US Amateur qualifier _ where he shot a record 11-under par 133 _ came after he had played eight rounds in the previous five days at Michigan, followed by a five-hour car trip to Illinois.
"I've had a busy schedule but I wasn't nervous. I was a bit tired but pretty confident," he says.
The US Amateur involves two days of stroke play to find 64 matchplay contenders.
Lee has played it twice, finishing fifth in scoring then being eliminated in his first match last year. He is a favourite for this month's tournament at the famous Pinehurst venue in North Carolina where Michael Campbell scored his US Open victory. Lee has thought about the Campbell link.
"I was thinking I've got a good chance to win there as well.
"I'm really excited about it, really honoured to play there," he says.
It will be another important learning experience and chance to make a major mark before turning professional.
Lee is coached by Steve Jessup (Wairakei) and Mikki Strong (Tauranga) but flies solo in the States, where he has spent three or four months in each of the past three years. Prior to the Western, he tutored himself in shortening and easing his swing after distance control problems.
His uncle Rambert Sim, who owns two big driving ranges in San Diego, is his caring host, manager and caddy which allows Lee to concentrate on golf, practicing up to eight hours a day.
"Being number one puts a bit of pressure on but I'm just another player at tournaments and the No 1 can't win everything," he says.
"No 1 was my goal. I did it and I'm really happy about that."
Lee has just qualified to play for New Zealand's Eisenhower Trophy team and has a citizenship ceremony coming up.
He is a selection certainty for the tournament in Adelaide in mid-October.
The Korean-Kiwi might turn professional in about a year's time, and is refreshingly frank on which country he represents.
"I'm a bit of a different looking New Zealander but it feels like I am a New Zealander and I really like the country," he says.
"Choosing between the two is a difficult question though. I can't pick one. It's like being asked to choose between your parents, being asked which one you like the most," he says.
SCORECARD
Danny Lee
Age: 18
Born: Korea
Home: Rotorua and San Diego
Prospects: International golf star
Form so far: New Zealand senior and junior representative, winner of more than 20 significant titles from the national secondary school championships through to the 2007 national amateur title in this country, and the Western Amateur in the United States. Also a former junior world runner-up.
Biggest win: The Western Amateur, beating American collegiate champion Eric Flores to win the final.
Top finish in a pro event: Third at the Maekyung Open in Seoul, an Asian tour event where he played under his Korean name of Jin-Myung Lee.
Next big assignments: The US Amateur at Pinehurst (August 18-24) and the Eisenhower Trophy in Adelaide (October 16-19).
On turning professional: "I can't give a 100 per cent answer but if I keep playing like this for another year I might turn pro then.
