Golf: Lee proves he has got what it takes on pro Tour

Houston, we have liftoff.

Rookie touring golf professional Danny Lee has made an important leap forward by finishing tied for 13th in the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship in the United States.

In just his third outing in the paid ranks, the 18-year-old Korea-born New Zealand-raised and tutored prodigy earned US$125,666 ($203,198) after completing four sub par rounds at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas.

Lee's tournament card of nine-under 271 left him 10 strokes behind the winner, South African Rory Sabbatini, and his closing round of four-under 66 was not without blemish.

He three-putted the last hole from 1.5m for a double bogey six which took some of the gloss off his seven birdies, as the reigning US Amateur champion proved he has the wherewithal to go toe-to-toe with his rivals on the world's toughest tour.

Those two dropped shots cost Lee about US$55,000, but he did not have money on his mind when discussing his round shortly afterward with the American press.

"I'm really just so angry about the last hole," Lee said.

"I had a perfect last putt that just went straight. I played really good today, and I got some lucky bounces, a couple of lucky bounces, and just the last hole really let me down.

"But that's golf. So I have to learn, and hopefully I don't do that next week."

Lee has stepped on to the tour, world golf's most challenging stage, with bold plans. He wants to make enough money in 11 appearances to be ranked in the top 150 based on the 2008 money list (US$537,958).

If he can achieve that he can take up temporary status on the tour and accept unlimited sponsors' exemptions. The ultimate goal is to finish in the top 125 to earn his full card for 2010.

Lee, who will next week contest the Crowne Plaza International in Fort Worth, Texas, was yesterday yet again subjected to the media comparing him more than favourably with a younger Tiger Woods.

Lee last year supplanted the world No 1 as the youngest winner in history of the US Amateur, and many golf observers can see the teenager at some stage challenging the world's best players on a regular basis.

Asked directly about the comparisons, Lee said: "When I stood on the first tee box I don't think I'm some 18-year-old boy.

"I'm just the same player like these guys out here, and I always try my best and see how it goes.

"So I don't really care about what they're saying about me. It's good, what they think about me, next Tiger Woods. That's really special."

Lee was challenging strongly for a top-five result before his misfortune on the 18th green.

A great tee shot had put him only 100m out from the green but a wayward second was followed by a expensive chip and three-putt.

But he could walk away happy about his working week as he strung together scores of 69, 67, 69 and 66.

- NZPA