Golf: Lee leads in Panama

Danny Lee. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee is tied for the lead after two rounds of the weather-delayed Panama Championship in Central America.

With rounds of 66 and 65, Lee was nine-under through two rounds, tied at the top of the secend-tier Nationwide Tour event with Americans Kyle Reifers and Erik Compton.

With lightning delaying play, Lee had to complete his second round today after play was aban, then await the third round, which will start today.

Ranked world No 1 as an amateur, Lee has had a slow start to his professional career, in which he has played mainly on the European Tour.

His 65 today was faultless, with five birdies - four of them in the last six holes.

Other New Zealanders to make the cut were Brad Iles, seven shots off the lead after a second round three-under 67, and Josh Geary who was one over after a 71 today, sneaking inside the cut line after he bogied his last two holes.

Steven Alker and Tim Wilkinson missed the cut.

Meanwhile in Australia, Wellington golfer Gareth Paddison has the lead heading into the final round of the Queensland PGA Championship.

Paddison posted an eight-under-par 62 yesterday to finish the third round today at 12-under 196 at Toowoomba, two ahead of a quartet tied for second - Craig Scott, Kieran Pratt, Terry Pilkadaris and Nevin Basic.

Aucklander Michael Hendry was prominent as well after he signed for a 65 which left him sharing sixth place just three shots behind the leader.

- NZPA