Danny Lee watches his putt on the 18th during yesterday's final round at the Johnnie Walker Classic. Photo / Getty Images
Opinion
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What a wonderful achievement by the Rotorua golfing prodigy in winning the Johnnie Walker Classic. A hearty congratulations, Danny, and to your supportive family and coaches.
The golf world was surprised at the amateur's triumph in a professional field, but we shouldn't be. As the commentators scrolled through
the leaderboard looking for their likely winner on the last day, they bypassed young Danny. You felt like screaming, "Don't count that boy out," because Danny Lee is a winner.
In attitude and preparation, Lee could be classed as a professional who doesn't get paid. Still in his teens, he has shown in the furnace of United States golf that he is clinical under pressure, and virtually unfazed by any surroundings. If it wasn't for his desire to represent New Zealand in the Eisenhower Trophy and take his hard-won place as an amateur in the Masters in April, he'd be a rich professional already.
As one of his coaches said, Lee has hit so many shots of every variety in practice that he is confident in virtually any position during tournaments.
I hope we can embrace Lee as a nation. It is possible that because he is Asian, and arrived here from Korea as a 12-year-old, that the emotional link between the budding star and the New Zealand audience is not as strong as it might be. When he turns professional and moves to the United States this year, his family will follow.
But he is a naturalised Kiwi who despite facing initial language and cultural barriers has made the absolute most of his life in what at first must have been a strange land.
He is not a verbose lad, yet has nicely humorous lines - in halting English. He is an interesting character and you feel that much more will be revealed. Having spent a day with his family last year, I was left in no doubt that he is extremely strong-willed.
As Greg Turner - the former New Zealand professional - has said, Lee's prospects are fantastic, the hurdles high.
The great thing about watching a stupendous golf talent emerge is that it suggests many years of fascination ahead.
Golfers have the longest of all sporting careers. The fans could still be following Danny Lee's exploits in 30 years.
