Kiwi Lee leads Lake Macquarie
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Lake Macquarie Amateur | Round One | 24 Jan 2008
Danny Lee, the 17-year-old Kiwi superstar, opened with a six-under-par 66 today to kickstart his 2008 Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship campaign, a stroke ahead of Christopher Brown from The Grange. Matt Jager and James Leighton are at four-under-par, and T3rd.
Lee finished runner-up at the 2007 Dogwood Invitational in the US and is the current holder of the New Zealand Amateur Championship. He romped in the afternoon session at Belmont, with six birdies over his closing eight holes.
Lee now has the advantage to build upon his first round score and widen his lead with the benefit of an earlier teetime tomorrow, when conditions are sure to be more conducive towards lower scoring.
Former Australian Amateur Champion, Tim Stewart, remains within striking distance of the leaders, following an opening two-under-par 70, as is former British Amateur Champion, Gary Wolstenholme, who fired an even-par 72.
Many of the more well known players need to make a move during tomorrow’s second round if they are to seriously challenge for the title on the weekend.
Scott Arnold, who was runner-up at the 2007 St Andrews Links trophy, finished his opening round at even-par, along with Daniel Beckmann and Jason Scrivener. They are all six strokes behind Lee.
Current Australian Amateur Champion, Rohan Blizard, opened with a two-over-par 74, to be eight strokes behind the leader, whilst The Dunes Medal winner, Leighton Lyle, and National Squad member, Josh Younger, have both opened with a 73.
