Danny Lee wins Western Amateur
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Western Amateur Championship (2008) | Grand Final | by Anthony Powter | 04 Aug 2008
New Zealand’s Danny Lee has won the 106th Western Amateur in Michigan after defeating American Erik Flores 4&2 in the final.
The new world number one progressed to the championship match after disposing Conrad Shindler 4&2 in the morning’s semifinal. Lee had earlier qualified the top seed in the 16 player elimination matchplay section after taking medallist honours with a 72-hole total of 12-under-par, three strokes ahead of Flores.
Flores is a second-team All-American at UCLA where he helped lead the UCLA team to the NCAA title in May. He defeated France’s Victor Dubuisson 4&2 to make the final against Lee.
Lee joins previous winners of the Western Amateur including Jack Nicklaus (1961), Ben Crenshaw (1973), Curtis Strange (1974), Hal Sutton (1979-80), Chris DiMarco (1988), Phil Mickelson (1991), Justin Leonard (1992-93) and Tiger Woods (1994) and confirms his standing as one of the world’s best amateurs.
It’s been a fantastic week for the 18-year-old, who secured the top world ranking from American Rickie Fowler during the championship.
Lee also became the first winner since Bubba Dickerson in 2001 to take both the the medallist and matchplay honours at the Western, a feat only previously performed by Phil Mickelson (1991), Scott Verplank (1985), Curtis Strange (1974) and Ben Crenshaw (1973).
Flores was unable to gain any momentum during today’s championship match as Lee got off to a dream start attacking the Point O’Woods layout with his familiar aggressive style of golf, nailing three birdies early to move to 4-up through six holes. After nine holes Lee was the equivalent of 4-under-par, never opening the gate to enable Flores to get into the match.
“This is probably my biggest win to date,” said Lee about the Western Amateur, ranked second in the world amateur tournaments.
“I’ve no time to rest as I’m trying to qualify for the US Amateur tomorrow. My game is strong and I’m hitting the ball the best that I have for a long time. I’m just so happy with this win, as it was my first time playing here.”
“My irons were good and I was able to sink a few putts early to get my game going,” he said.
Lee by the 12th had moved to 5-up until Flores, ranked 17 in the world, mounted a mini-comback with birdies on the 14th and 15th to reduce the deficit to just three. Lee was able to keep his composure and secured the title on the 16th with a conceded birdie putt.
“I thought that he was coming back,” said Lee. “I was a little nervous there towards the end but my putting was strong today and I just kept focussing on not making mistakes and just making pars.”
This is the first season for Lee, in the major amateur ranks, his dual victories at the Western Amateur represent a stellar effort. The switch in equipment to a TaylorMade Burner driver with a less stiff Matrix Ozik Tp-7 shaft, giving Lee the confidence to be aggressive with his driving and providing a new lease of life to his game.
Lee this evening was making his way to Springfield for the US Amateur qualifying, exhausted but remaining confident he’ll continue to perform well in the US.
“I drove the ball the best that I have for some time this week and that enabled me to work my iron shots and hit greens. I’ve a less stiff shaft in my driver and I feel that I don’t have to hit the ball as hard and that makes me more relaxed on the course.”
“It’s a wonderful feeling to win in American and although I’m a little tired, I’m looking forward to qualifying for the US Amateur tomorrow.”
With three international victories already to his credit and numerous titles back in New Zealand, today’s victory at the Western Amateur is only the beginning for Lee, who is one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in world golf in recent years.
