Lee makes quarter-finals at US Amateur
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | US Amateur Championship (2008) | Matchplay Round Three | by Anthony Powter | 22 Aug 2008
World number one Danny Lee is going to take some stopping at this week’s US Amateur Championship being played at Pinehurst in North Carolina.
The 18-year-old has blasted his way into the quarter-finals with an impressive 7&6 win over Connor McHenry.
“I’m driving the ball well and being able to hit the centre of the greens,” said Lee.
Lee gave McHenry no chance of getting a foot in the match, as he opened strongly with two birdies after the first three holes and continued to dominate the rest of the match with consistent play.
“My game’s consistent and I’ve managed to get birdie putts at critical times in matches, which keeps my momentum going.”
Earlier in the morning’s second round, Lee had a 5&4 win over another American, Jacob Burger. From his two matches in the match play segment Lee has amassed nine birdies and no bogeys, a feat that sets him apart from the rest of the existing field.
Those performances leave Lee as one of the favourites for the US Amateur title, which will be determined following Sunday’s thirty-six hole final.
When you also consider that Lee had no benefit of any practice rounds leading into the championship, the fact he’s now figuring out the Pinehurst’s No.2 layout could be a bad sign for the remaining 16 players left in the championship.
“I’m starting to now know the course and around the greens, and it’s helped me play a little bit better each day,” remarked Lee.
Lee, who was the twenty-third match play qualifier will meet Morgan Hoffmann in the quarter final stages tomorrow, after Hoffmann, ranked 39 in the world, won his match 2&1 over Andrew Landry.
Tomorrow’s quarter final match will be a repeat of the Western Amateur quarter final where Lee defeated Hoftmann 3&2 to eventually claim the Western Amateur title. Despite have won their previous encounter, Lee remains reserved about making Sunday’s final.
“I’ll just continue to focus on one match at a time,” he said.
Last year Lee made it through to the first round at the US Amateur in what was his second appearance. Twelve months on he’s now a totally different player.
“I’m confident with my game but there is still tough matches ahead, so I will just try to be aggressive as I can tomorrow and keep playing solid match play golf.”
