Golf: Organisers miss opportunity to pair Lee and Charles

New Zealand golfing sensation Danny Lee. Photo / Getty Images.

The past and the future will surely rub shoulders here this week despite New Zealand Open organisers squandering the opportunity to pair together golfing magnets Sir Bob Charles and Danny Lee.

Officials have missed a trick in deciding to have the two tournament drawcards in separate groupings when the championship starts at The Hills on the outskirts of Arrowtown tomorrow.

Their reasoning is to presumably prevent congestion points on the course, with the pulling power of the two individuals certain to attract by far the biggest galleries.

There is some merit in their argument but opportunities like this will not present themselves often, if at all again.

Pictures of the 18-year-old star in the making sharing a green with the 72-year-old living legend would have taken on mythical status years in the future when golfing historians traced important moments in the game's evolution.

Charles probably will not regret missing the chance to play a round in competition with Lee, a prodigious hitter for one so young, who has attracted a growing following since winning the US Amateur championship last August and his first professional title at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth last month.

As well, organisers are looking after Charles' interests, as the four-time New Zealand Open champion would appreciate a quiet start to the tournament as he bids to make the cut again, something he accomplished here 16 months ago to much fanfare.

For his part, Lee will feel differently.

"I have never even met him before and if I am actually playing with Mr Bob it would be such an honour," Lee said before the groupings were released.

"It would be a great experience," said Lee, who has already earned a reputation as a fast learner, as a young man who closely watches his more experienced playing partners to pick up any tips he thinks will benefit his own burgeoning game.

Despite them playing in the company of others - Charles with Australian Craig Parry and American Jim McGovern, and Lee with compatriot Steve Alker and American Vance Veazey - tournament organisers are considering making arrangements for Lee and Charles to meet here this week.

The teenager knows precisely what he will bend Charles' ear about, too, if such a meeting takes place.

"I would ask him what I have to do to be a good putter," said Lee, showing his understanding of the game's storied past because Charles was one of the slickest putters around in his heyday in the 1960s and 1970s.

Lee's putting game is still a work in progress and does not yet match the prowess he has with a driver or irons in hand.

He knows he needs to constantly work on that aspect of his game, and is doing just that.

He finished seventh equal at the New Zealand PGA Championship in Christchurch on Sunday despite recording an average of 29.75 putts per round.

Lee said he would not be happy with his putting average until he had lowered it to 27.

Funnily enough, he felt confident with his putter after playing 16 holes at The Hills yesterday before a cold southerly front arrived to drive the players off the course.

His new New Zealand caddie Anthony Knight suggested some subtle changes to his putting stroke at Clearwater and Lee is already feeling upbeat about a slightly remodelled set-up.

"Putting is 50 per cent of golf. Anthony has given me some good tips and it is working pretty good," Lee said.

Lee explained he was now placing the ball slightly further forward in his stance.

"Under pressure I have been pushing my putts a lot.

"Now I'm putting the ball more forward

and on the left side of the heel. It feels really good."

Lee's imminent switch to the pro ranks, after next month's Masters in the United States, is generating increased interest as his exploits have matched the hype surrounding him.

He gave his rivals more food for thought yesterday when revealing his year's primary goal was to slash his world ranking.

He has improved his ranking to 144, a huge leap forward on his placing at 562 before his triumph in Perth.

Now that he is on a good thing, Lee does not want to stop there.

"My goal now is to get into the top 50 by the end of the year."

Now that would be good news for some, if not for others.

- NZPA