Golf: Lee rockets up rankings

Danny Lee has risen to 144th in the world golf rankings. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealander Danny Lee consolidated his position as the world's top amateur golfer win the latest world rankings released today.

Lee has rocketed up the rankings - less than a month ago, he was ranked 562nd in the world. After last weekend's share of seventh in the New Zealand PGA Championship, he is 144th.

Lee's win in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth late last month has played a big part in his rise - although he never got a cent of the A$460,000 ($583,000) first prizemoney because of his amateur status, he did get the winner's ranking points.

NZPGA winner Steve Alker was the biggest mover among New Zealand golfers, his two-stroke victory moving him up the rankings by 200 places to 373.

However, David Smail remains the top Kiwi golfer, moving up three places to 88th in the world on the back of his shared second place with compatriot Josh Geary at the NZPGA.

Smail has shown consistent form recently, finishing 31st in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth before sharing eighth at the Moonah Classic near Melbourne late last month.

Geary has also moved up the rankings, albeit in a more low-key fashion, and now lies 416th while other New Zealanders include Mark Brown (130), Michael Campbell (206) and Tim Wilkinson (290).

- NZPA