Golf: Lee over first PGA qualifying school obstacle

New Zealand golfer Eddie Lee has qualified for the second stage of the United States PGA qualifying school.

Lee, from Christchurch, shot a 75 in the final round of the first stage on the La Purisima course in California and finished 20th equal, right on the qualifying line.

The top 20 players and ties qualified for the second stage of the qualifying school, which will be played between November 12 and 22.

Lee's coach, Shane Scott, who caddied for him, said the 20-year-old bounced back well after a second-round 77 left him in a share of 48th.

Lee shot 71 in difficult conditions in the third round and had the leaders in the field come back to him.

"It was blowing its head off in the third round and Eddie played really well for 71. The best score in that round was a 70 and there were three, including Eddie, on 71.

"He didn't play badly in the second round, but couldn't get the speed of the greens and struggled to sink any putts. He had 35 putts in the round," Scott said.

Lee's scores were 70, 77, 71 and 75.



The second stage of qualifying is at Oak Valley, California, but Lee was trying to get entry into one of three tournaments from November 19-22.



The third and final stage of qualifying is a six-round tournament in Florida from December 3-8, where the lowest 30 scores and ties earn their playing cards for the full PGA tour.


- NZPA