Golf: Lee turns to parents for coaching tips

Danny Lee has changed his swing to cope better with the physical demands of pro golf. Photo / APN

Remember the hype when Danny Lee became entwined with Tiger Woods, before Tiger became entwined with a fire hydrant?

Lee, the teenage golfer from Rotorua, was compared to the golfing superstar after breaking his record as the youngest winner of the US Amateur title and of a European event.

The Korean-born prodigy, who came to New Zealand aged 12, was soaring in the public eye through his ranking as the world's top amateur, winning the European Tour's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, and a Masters appearance thanks to his US amateur victory.

Lee duly turned professional and signed with management giants IMG and the golf company Callaway.

Two years on from the US amateur triumph, the 20-year-old is back in the pack and out of the headlines.

Last year, operating mainly on sponsor exemptions, he made a reasonable six cuts from 11 events in America with best finishes of seventh and 13th.

He has made the cut in about half of his tournaments in Europe, where he is ranked 162 and has one top-10 finish. His world ranking is about 450.

Lee has a year left of automatic rights on the European tour but covets a US PGA tour card, which he will chase at the final qualifying stage in Florida next week.

The top 25, plus ties, will win their PGA card after six rounds of golf at the Orange County National course.

"It is very important because this is one of my major goals," Lee tells the Weekend Herald from his family's Texas home, next to the Dallas golf course where the Byron Nelson Championship is played.

"I'm not worried because I still have the European tour card but it feels like I am wasting time because I want to get on with being a full member of the US tour.

"My form is only at 60 to 70 per cent. But you learn more from being inside the golf course than outside. Talking is just talking.

"I've changed swings a lot and haven't played that well so far. It's more mental ... if you hit bad shots you become afraid of hitting golf balls.

"I was expecting it to be tough all along because you are playing every week instead of once a month and have to make the cuts, top fives, top 10s.

"That's why I changed my swing. I want to play consistently and have a long career so I can't put too much pressure on my body every day."

Which brings us to the subject of a coach. Reports state he has come under the guidance of a few tutors. Lee doesn't name names but says the swings suggested to him weren't suitable. So his parents, dad Sam and mum Sujin - a former professional golfer - are guiding him again.

I ask if this is a good idea at such a high level.

"My parents have always been a good coach for me," he says.

"We always discuss together and find what is wrong and what I am doing good.

"Yes, I believe they are good enough - a lot of good players are telling me their best coaches were their dad or their parents."

Lee enjoyed the hype of Tiger comparisons, but wasn't seduced.

"Not many people are going to hear those things in their lifetime," he says.

"But I wasn't thinking I have to be Tiger Woods. Sure, I want to play that well, but all I can do is work hard and see how it goes.

"The first couple of months this year weren't much fun but I am enjoying playing now and that's why I'm starting to play better, I guess."

Lee already has full or conditional Nationwide Tour status by making it to the fourth and final stage of the Q-school system. If he misses on his full tour card he will likely concentrate on Europe instead. He is vague or unsure what his US tour exemption status might be.

He fell by the wayside early at last year's qualifying school but - with Kiwis Michael Hendry, Steven Alker and Tim Wilkinson - hopes this year's gruelling tournament in Florida will be his breakthrough.

"I'm still working on the swing but I've learnt it will never be perfect until the day I die," says Lee.

"I'm just one of the players trying to enjoy six rounds.

"It's a long stretch so I've got to make sure I don't burn myself out and keep hanging in.

"It will be good having the other New Zealanders there and hopefully we can all make it."

Sporting prodigies

Young stars who became super stars

Sachin Tendulkar - The Indian cricket legend made his test debut aged 16 and is apparently getting better with age, at the age of 37. True genius.

David Beckham - The soccer superstar, right, won a major tricks competition at 13 and became a Manchester United legend before moving on to world domination.

Tiger Woods Remember him? - Delivered on his staggering amateur promise and then some, and then some more, although the American dream has turned into a nightmare.

And some who didn't

Beverley Klass - Little Californian golf whiz with the standard issue bad dad. Briefly turned pro aged 10, but retired without winning a tournament in 13 seasons on the ladies tour.

Vinod Kambli - Tendulkar's mate and equal as a kid in the excessive run-making business. Famous for wearing more bling than a rapper but Kambli's test career was a wrap by the age of 24.

Cody Webster - The big kid from Washington found fame after pitching his Little League baseball team to the world title over invincible Taiwan. But his career struck out. He delivered the defining quote on this subject: "I was good when I was 12. I was average when I was 18."