| | Turning Pro, Lee Will Have To
Qualify For U.S. Open
April 14, 2009
By David Shefter, USGA
Danny Lee might have hit a
rut at the Masters
. But now he's ready to cash in at the bank.
According to a published report, International Management
Group (IMG), which handles the affairs of several top players
- including world No. 1 Tiger Woods - the reigning U.S.
Amateur champion is about to sign a deal worth around $10
million.
The 18-year-old Lee, who last August at Pinehurst No. 2
surpassed Woods as the youngest to win the U.S. Amateur, will
make his PGA Tour debut as a pro at the Zurich Classic of New
Orleans next week.
In February, Lee became the youngest winner on the European
Tour and just the second amateur to win on that circuit when
he bested a strong field at the Johnnie Walker Classic in
Perth, Australia.
David Rollo, vice-president of golf for IMG Australia, told
the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) that many people
have expected a lot of Lee and he has over-delivered so far.
An official statement from IMG is expected on Thursday.
 | | Danny Lee celebrates his U.S. Amateur
victory last year at Pinehurst. (John Mummert/USGA) |
"He is exceptionally gifted and he is an exceptional talent,"
Rollo told the NZPA from Melbourne, Australia. "He's also got
an exceptional work ethic.
"Those things put together make a pretty good combination."
Lee, who was born in Korea and moved to Rotorua, New Zealand
at the age of 8, did struggle in his final event as an
amateur at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club, carding a
9-over-par 81 in the second round to miss the cut by 10
strokes. He opened with a 2-over 74. The 36-hole cut came at
1-over 145.
Rollo said Kevin Lynch, who works out of the company's
Cleveland office, would be Lee's principal handler. IMG also
handles such clients as Vijay Singh, 2005 U.S. Open champion
Michael Campbell, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Camilo Villegas
and three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.
Lee's sign-on fee with the management group is reportedly
similar to Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy, who joined
the professional ranks not long after the 2007 Walker Cup
Match held in his home country of Northern Ireland (Royal
County Down).
"He conducts himself very well," said Rollo of Lee. "It is
going to be exciting and hopefully it will be great for golf
in New Zealand."
By turning pro, Lee gives up his full exemptions to this
summer's U.S. Open and British Open, which he earned from
last year's U.S. Amateur triumph. He is, however, exempt from
local qualifying for the U.S. Open by virtue of his Johnnie
Walker victory. Sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open is set
for June 8 at various sites.
Storycompiled by USGA Digital Media staff writer David
Shefter.
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