Golf: Lee makes steady start in PGA Tour qualifying bid

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee today made a steady start on his long road toward qualifying for the PGA Tour, shooting an even par 72 in Texas.

Needing at least a top-20 finish in McKinney, Texas, to advance to the second stage of qualifying, Lee was tied for 15th after the first of four rounds.

The Rotorua teenager has three birdies and three bogies to lie five shots off the pace, being set by Texan William Doughtie.

Lee, the 2008 US Amateur winner played in 12 PGA Tour events this year after turning professional.

His best tour finish was a tie for seventh at the AT&T National.

Among others entered for the first round of qualifying are heart-transplant survivor Erik Compton, Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City mayor Rudy, and Gary Nicklaus, the son of legendary golfer Jack.

Should Lee win through the first stage, he will contest the four-round second stage from November 18-21.

If he survives there, he will play in the arduous six-round tour qualifying school at Bear Lakes Country Club in Florida, in the first week of December.

Lee has this year won on the European Tour - the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia - and holds a world ranking of 135.

- NZPA