Golf: Lee disqualified after scorecard error

Danny Lee's push to improve his world golf ranking was knocked back on Monday when he was disqualified after the final round of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

Lee had tied for 17th on five-under 283 after a three-over 75 on the final day.

It was his best result on the European Tour since a 10th placing at the Johnnie Walker tournament at Gleneagles in August 2009.

The 20-year-old was then disqualified for signing off on an incorrect score to miss out on a $US27,769 ($NZ35,000) payday.

Lee's disqualification was noted in the latest world golf rankings released yesterday and reported by Malaysian newspapers, The Star and The New Straits Times.

The error saw him dropping to 535 in the world rankings from last week's 526.

The tournament was won by Italian teenager Matteo Manassero who last year displaced Lee as the youngest European tour winner by taking out the Castello Masters aged 17 years and 188 days.

Lee won the Johnnie Walker Classic tournament in Australia in 2009 aged 18 years and 213 days.

Manassero who turns 18 today surged 24 positions up the latest world rankings to 33rd after his win in Malaysia.

- NZPA