Simpson fires 63 to defeat Lee at Dogwood
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Dogwood Invitational (2007) | Preview | by Anthony Powter | 01 Jul 2007
New Zealand’s Danny Lee finished the Dogwood Invitational four strokes short of claiming his first major American amateur championship after James Simpson ripped apart the Druid Hills layout in Atlanta, Georgia, this morning with a second consecutive 63, to finish nineteen under.
Lee, in his best performance in a US major amateur to date, finished with rounds of 66-65-69-69, 269 to be fifteen under.
Simpson’s victory at the Dogwood Invitational came with rounds of 69-70-63-63, 265 and it was his second major US amateur title in less than six months, after the No.4 Golfweek/Titleist ranked amateur secured the Azalea Amateur in April at Charleston.
Overnight leader, Chris Kirk had a final round three over 74, to finish behind Lee and Luke Hopkins in fourth place.
The best of the three Australians who made the cut was Jamie Arnold at T26, one over the card after rounds of 68-76-68-72, 284. Ray Beaufils continued with his fine US campaign to date, to finish even for the tournament in 31st position, whilst Richie Gallichan’s closing 77 hurt his chances of a higher than 35th finish.
This year’s Dogwood certainly goes down as a tournament where the Australians, as a whole, failed to seriously challenge. They move to their next event, the Rice Planters Amateur, starting 4 July at Snee Farm Country Club in South Carolina. All will be looking to repeat Aron Price’s 2004 victory, in particular Tim Stewart who finished runner-up last year at the event.
Danny Lee’s effort this week at the Dogwood was simply impressive and at only 16, he has a huge golfing future ahead.
The New Zealand amateur champion was pleased with his week and will approach his next tournament, the US Amateur Public Links Championship in Wheaton, Illinois, confident with his game.
“It’s been a great week. This morning on the front nine, I was a bit slow to start, but on the back nine I started with two birdies to come back,” said Lee.
“I’m very happy with my result, the greens rolled so true and I putted well all week. I have the US Public Links next and I’m looking forward to another strong finish there.”
Lee’s American schedule represents a blend of junior and major amateur events, with the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship, starting July 16 at Torrey Pines South, cumulating in attempting to qualifying for the US Amateur Championship, which he managed last year and became the first New Zealander since 1999 to make the field.
In between there are a number of other major US amateur events Lee will be contesting, including the Porter Cup and potentially the Western Amateur.
“To qualify again for the US Amateur, like I did last year, would be great for me. It’s a great event, the courses are pure and it’s tough competition,” commented Lee.
“I have a bit of golf to play before then and I be playing in the Porter Cup after the Junior [Gallaway World Junior Championship], but with the finish this week, I’m really happy with my game.”
A quietly spoken young man who obviously lets his clubs do the talking, Danny Lee leaves Atlanta confident and poised for his next event and the timing could not be better as he seeks to become a world junior champion.
