Golf: Lee rushes to Europe with exemption for Masters

Christchurch golfer Eddie Lee has made a rushed trip to Switzerland from South Korea after getting a sponsor's exemption into the European Masters tournament which starts tomorrow.

Lee was spending time with family in South Korea before heading to France for the Lancome Trophy, which starts on September 11.

"He got a call on Monday morning from his management company, IMG, who said they had a start for him in the tournament," his coach Shane Scott said yesterday.

"He had to jump on a plane and has arrived in Switzerland.

"He will get a practice round on Wednesday and he is lucky he is teeing off last for the first round," said Scott.

"It would have been worse if he had an early tee time on Thursday."

The tournament is played at altitude in Crans-Montana, better known as a ski resort.

The course is known for its spectacular views and because of the altitude, the ball travels about 10 per cent further.

"Eddie's pretty excited by that," Scott said.

"He likes to hit the ball a long way."

In June, Lee fired a 68 at the Woodmont Country Club in the first round of qualifying for the US Open but then blew out with a 78 in the second round for a four-over 146 and lost any chance of playing in the Open.

New Zealanders Michael Campbell, Greg Turner and Stephen Scahill are also in the European Masters field.

- NZPA