Golf: Lee cuts coach loose

Danny Lee is on the hunt for a new coach after an amicable split with Steve Jessup. Photo / AP

Rookie professional golfer Danny Lee has parted company with his coach in a painless divorce.

Steve Jessup, who has guided the reigning US Amateur champion since 2006, no longer has a role to play in the development of the extraordinarily gifted 18-year-old.

They went their separate ways after the Masters in the United States last month, where the teenager marked his coming out party in the paid ranks by missing the second round cut.

Jessup, club pro at Wairakei International near Taupo since 1995, has no bitter feelings about the working relationship ending at the first of the year's four majors.

He knew before leaving for Augusta National in Georgia that the Masters represented a fork in the road for Lee, and that his services were no longer required with the player now settled in the US.

Lee's parents, Sam and Sujin, shouted 34-year-old Jessup a week-long trip to Georgia as a personal thank you for the help he had offered their eldest son, as well as a friendship forged during the long hours they spent together.

Lee yesterday pocketed the first cheque of his career, when a tie for 38th in the Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina was good enough to earn him US$25,000 ($44,100).

It was yet another important milestone as he set about improving his game as he pursued his goal to earn fulltime status on the PGA Tour in the US.

But Rotorua-raised Lee also intended playing in Korea in September, and Jessup has already been sounded out about joining the Lees in their country of birth for a week.

"That's the sort of people they are," said Jessup, a natural homebody who is normally not inclined to venture too far from home for long periods, something he'd inevitably have to do had he stayed by Lee's side.

"He has a lot of opportunity with other people over there (US) now," Jessup said.

"I have certainly enjoyed my experience with him and it would be great if there was any opportunity to carry that on.

"But at the end of the day all I want is what is best for him, and he has the opportunity to talk to a lot more experience out there than what I could offer."

Jessup said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time with Lee, which began in 2006 when the talented teen sought him out during a Golf Tour New Zealand tournament at Wairakei.

"I never thought I'd get to take a player to the Masters."

He was sure Lee would thrive in the US where he is already being touted as something special.

His burgeoning game still has some rough edges requiring a polish, but time was on his side.

"He is comfortable enough in the environment. The majors are another level again but in your week-in, week-out tour events, he will be all right," Jessup said.

Lee's management handlers, IMG, are now in the throes of finding a fulltime coach for him.

There were any number of potential candidates in the US, but there was no need to rush a decision.

- NZPA