KEY POINTS:
Danny Lee's golfing education took another positive step forward today when he finished in a tie for 11th in the Australian Masters near Melbourne.
The 18-year-old New Zealand amateur shot a closing round of even par 72 at Huntingdale to sign for a tournament card of five-under 283.
He was seven strokes shy of the winner, Rod Pampling, who shot 67 before beating fellow Australian Marcus Fraser at the third hole of a playoff after both completed 72 holes in 12-under 276.
Lee finished alongside compatriot Tim Wilkinson, who posted 71 today to end his first tournament outing since retaining his card on the PGA Tour in the United States this year.
It marked another highly encouraging performance from Lee, the reigning US Amateur champion, who has said he intends turning professional next year.
It was his best placing from four appearances in a professional tournament, and follows his tie for 20th in the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship in August and a tie for 32nd in the Singapore Open this month.
There was both good and bad in his round today after Lee teed off at the first in a share of 10th place after earlier efforts of 71, 69 and 71.
He made the turn at one-under but bogeys at the 12th and 14th ended those hopes even though he bounced back with his fourth birdie of the round at the 16th.
Like Lee, Wilkinson flirted with a top-10 placing before shelling his only shot of the day at the 17th.
Of the other New Zealanders to survive the second-round cut, Mahal Pearce saved his best for last with his 67, containing an eagle three at the 10th, promoting him from a tie for 63rd to a share of 25th on 286.
Steve Alker drifted backwards following a 75 to share 39th place with compatriot Michael Long, who closed with a 73.
- NZPA
