Golf: Lee to make World Cup debut

Teenager Danny Lee will partner David Smail when he makes his debut for New Zealand at the World Cup golf event in China in November.

The 19-year-old was today named in the two-man team to play 27 other countries over 72 holes of strokeplay at Mission Hills Golf Club on November 26-29.

Smail, at 92nd, and Lee, at 116th, are New Zealand's top ranked players.

Lee said the prospect of gaining World Cup experience was the icing on the cake after what had been an exciting debut year as a professional.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to represent New Zealand in the World Cup. It is always a great honour to play for your country and I am looking forward to doing this for the first time as a professional," he said.

"I know David has played the World Cup a few times so it will good to lean on his experience and hopefully we can do New Zealand proud.

"This has been an exciting year and the World Cup will be another great experience."

Lee was still an amateur when he became the youngest winner in European Tour history when he won the tri-sanctioned Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth in February.

He turned professional in April and has since played on sponsors' invitations on the PGA Tour in the United States.

He has played 11 events on the tour this year with one top-10 finish. Also, he was the youngest player in history to contest the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio this month.

Smail 39, is a five-time winner on the Japan Tour.

He made the first of his four World Cup appearances in 2001 when he and Michael Campbell finished second equal.

PGA of Australia chief executive Mark Garske today said the New Zealand team made for an exciting combination.

" Danny is such a fine talent and to claim his first big win on our tour was a fantastic result," he said.

"With Danny's talent and David's experience they will be quite a formidable team."

Other teams who have confirmed their attendance for the World Cup include Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell for Ireland, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose for England, South Africans Rory Sabbatini and Richard Sterne, Nick Watney for the United States and Martin Kaymer leads the charge for the German team.

Other confirmed nations include Denmark, India, Thailand, France, Taiwan and Korea. As the host nation of the event, China automatically qualifies for the event.

- NZPA