Golf: Lee set to cash in on Texas display

Rookie golf professional Danny Lee is poised for a solid pay day in the United States today.

The 18-year-old New Zealander ended the third round of the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson Championship at Irving, Texas, yesterday in a tie for 29th place on five-under-par 205.

His third-round effort of one-under 69 saw him slip from a share of 16th place but he has plenty of company because 10 others are on 205 and eight strokes back from the joint leaders, South Africa's Rory Sabbatini and American John Mallinger.

Among those on 205 are Australian Nathan Green, the 2006 New Zealand Open champion, his compatriot Robert Allenby, German Alex Cejka and American J J Henry.

The second New Zealander in the field, left-hander Tim Wilkinson, posted an even par 70 to slip to 40th equal.

Lee's round was a mixture, with four birdies making up for three bogeys as he chases the second pay cheque of a brief career. This was Lee's third PGA Tour appearance since he joined the money ranks following last month's Masters.

- NZPA