New Zealand can now claim teen golf sensation Danny Lee as its own after the US Amateur Golf champion was awarded his citizenship at a ceremony yesterday.
New Zealand Golf high performance manager David Graham said this would enable South Korean-born Lee - who has played for his adopted country since he was 15 - to travel on a New Zealand passport.
Newstalk ZB reported that about 50 people gathered at Rotorua's Springfield Golf Course to support the 18-year-old.
Lee came to New Zealand with his family nine years ago and has previously travelled on a Korean passport.
"He had been granted his citizenship some time ago but it could not be conferred until the ceremony. We would have had the ceremony done three months ago but his playing schedule in the US didn't allow it.