Danny Lee's hopes of retaining his PGA Tour card for 2013 now rely on him progressing through two stages of qualifying school after he missed the cut at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in Florida today.
The New Zealand No 1 started the tournament 164th on the PGA Tour money list with US$359,111 and realistically needed a top-three finish to climb into the top 125 to retain his card for 2013. But that is now gone after firing a second-round 72 to go with yesterday's 74 to finish two over and miss the cut.
It was a dramatic day, with leader Charlie Beljan taken away in an ambulance - he even told his caddy he feared he was going to die - after shooting a remarkable eight under 64 to lead by three shots at the halfway mark.
He complained of trouble breathing before teeing off, sought treatment from paramedics at the turn and was taken to hospital after his second round. Paramedics apparently told the 28-year-old his blood pressure was high and reports also suggested Beljan complained of an elevated heart rate, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
"I think he was scared," caddie Rick Adcox told reporters. "He kept saying he thought he was going to die. He just had that feeling. I don't know why. But it was spooky."
