Golf: Strong finish boosts Lee

Danny Lee. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has registered his best result on the second tier Nationwide Tour in the United States.

A closing round of six-under-par 65 left the 20-year-old Nationwide rookie in a tie for seventh place on nine-under 275 in the $US500,000 ($NZ663,730) Louisiana Open at Broussard today.

Lee's bold finish in his third tour event saw him clamber 19 places up the leaderboard for his first top-10 result on the northern American circuit, ending four shots behind the winner, American Brett Wetterich.

The former United States amateur champion threatened to shoot lights out after pocketing six birdies on the outward nine before a mid round tumble when he gave three shots back in the space of five holes.

However, Lee signed off in style, with three successive pars from the 15th before a regulation par at the last to register the fourth equal best of the day although he could not keep up with American John Kimbell, who shot a 10-under 61 to move from a tie for 48th to a share of fourth place on 274.

Lee's putter did him a lot of favours today, with the 28 putts required today being an improvement of seven strokes on the third round.

New Zealand left-hander Tim Wilkinson also enjoyed an encouraging final round, a 67 seeing him improve 15th places to 25th equal on 279.

- NZPA