U.S. Amateur Champ Lee Turning Pro
Following Masters Appearance
December 15, 2008
By David Shefter, USGA
If reigning U.S. Amateur champion Danny Lee wants to play in
the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park, the New Zealander will
have to do so via qualifying.
The 18-year-old Lee, who last August at Pinehurst Resort &
Country Club became the youngest-ever U.S. Amateur champion,
surpassing a mark set by Tiger Woods, told the
New Zealand Herald
on Sunday that he was going to turn professional after the 2009
Masters in April.
By winning the U.S. Amateur, Lee earned exemptions into the
2009 U.S. Open and British Open as well as an invitation to the
2009 Masters, provided that he remained an amateur. By turning
pro after the Masters, Lee will forfeit the exemptions to the
U.S. and British Opens. He can still get into the U.S. Open field
by enduring local and sectional qualifying. Should he make the
cut at the Masters, he would receive an exemption from local U.S.
Open qualifying.
Prior to beating Drew Kittleson of Scottsdale, Ariz., in the
36-hole Amateur final on Pinehurst's No. 2 course, Lee had
planned to enter PGA Tour Qualifying School in the fall, but
those plans were scrapped after his triumph.
"I decided not long ago," Lee told the
New Zealand Herald
following Sunday's final round of the Australian Open at Royal
Sydney, where he shot a 3-over 75 to register a top-30 finish
(1-under 287). "I've been discussing it with my parents, and
it's very exciting."
Lee's intention from now until the Masters is to play only in
professional events as an amateur, relying on sponsors' invites
for spots in the field. The 2009 Masters is scheduled from April
9-12 at Augusta (Ga.) National. In recent weeks, Lee has shown
strong form in professional competitions Down Under, making the
cut in four of his last five events, including a tie for 11th at
the Australian Masters.
A few weeks before his victory at Pinehurst No. 2, Lee won the
prestigious Western Amateur.
At Royal Sydney, Lee attracted big galleries and was the only
amateur in the field to survive the 36-hole cut.
"This is my last tournament for [2008], and I've made the
cut," said a proud Lee. "I think I've done all right.
I've got a long way to go, and I'll learn a lot."
David Shefter is a staff writer for the USGA's New Media
Department. E-mail him with questions or comments at
dshefter@usga.org.