KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's Danny Lee has advanced to the matchplay rounds of the US Amateur golf championship with an even-par second round at Pinehurst, North Carolina this morning (NZT).
Lee's 70 today following yesterday's 71 put him among a group of five players on 141 and left him secure as one of the top 64 players advancing to matchplay from a field of over 300.
Lee, who started on the back nine of Pinehurst No 2, the same course on which Michael Campbell won his US Open title in 2005, had a shaky start from the back nine, making the turn on two-over 37 after picking up bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes.
"But he was playing solid, he waited for his opportunities and when they came along, he made birdies - he was always in control of his game," New Zealand Golf high performance manager David Graham, who tailed Lee on the course, told NZPA.
The world No 1 ranked amateur made birdies on the par-four fourth hole and another on the par-five fifth before closing his round out with pars.
"He has never seen the course before and an even-par round on a difficult course such as this is confidence inspiring," Graham said.
" We knew the cut would be around plus four or five and that an even-par round was needed today."
Utah's Robbie Fillmore led the qualifiers with a six-under 134 total after rounds of 69 and 65.
Lee now awaits the draw for tomorrow's first round of matchplay beginning tomorrow. The tournament ends on Monday morning (NZtime).
"He's a very good matchplay golfer. He'll approach the course much the same way he did today.
"His game is in good shape and he'll be out to beat his opponent as fast as he can," Graham said.
Lee, who is playing the US Amateur for the third time, was eliminated in the first round of matchplay last year.
He plans to enter qualifying-school for the PGA Tour later this year but plans to play as an amateur just in case he doesn't earn a card.
If he qualifies for either the PGA Tour or the second-tier Nationwide Tour, the 18-year-old will turn professional.
- NZPA
