Golf: Hot-shot Lee in tie for third

Rotorua's Danny Lee has let a lead slip during his latest event on the PGA Tour - and with it a place at the Masters.

Lee recorded his best finish of the new PGA Tour season placing tied-third in Mexico yesterday morning.

But it could have been a lot better for the 24-year-old.

Lee hit seven birdies in a row on the front nine to move into the outright lead during the final round of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

But three bogeys on the back nine saw him slip back to 15-under par for the tournament.

Charley Hoffman (US) went on to win the event at 17-under par. Hoffman pocketed about US$1m ($1.25m) in prize money and also received an invitation to the greatest golf tournament in the world - the Masters.

Lee, during an interview on PGATour.com, had mixed emotions about finishing third.

"I'm happy with where I finished. The back nine on this golf course is very tough and you kind of have to hit perfect golf shots to make birdies on the back nine, which I didn't.

"I think I was a little bit nervous and was rushing myself."

Lee finished the tournament with rounds of 66, 69, 67 and 67.

The only PGA Tour events that don't include a Masters invitation for the winner are those held opposite majors or the World Golf Championships, namely the Puerto Rico Open in March, the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi and the Reno-Tahoe Open.

Lee's best finish on the PGA Tour to date came earlier this year at the Puerto Rico Open, where he finished second.