Cool, calm Lee unfazed by theft of clubs

NICE SWING: Peter Lee is in good form despite having his clubs stolen recently and is heading overseas tomorrow to compete in the PGA Tour of Australasia. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua golfer Peter Lee is ready for the biggest few months of his professional career, albeit with a set of borrowed clubs.

Lee had his golf clubs stolen last weekend after the first round of the Akarana Open in Auckland.

Amazingly, he borrowed his friend's clubs and finished second at the big tournament, shooting a 65 and 64 during the final two rounds.

Titleist has helped him out this week by sending him a temporary set of clubs to play with in Papua New Guinea, Australia, Tahiti and Samoa, where he will be competing over the next two months.

Lee said he was never one to fuss over his equipment and he was ready for the trip.

"I never really was that flashy about clubs but these are good enough for me right now. I'm mentally prepared for the weeks ahead," he said.

"I have managed to get a quick, temporary set of clubs for the weeks ahead. They are just temporary but the important thing is I have clubs to play with."

Since turning professional in December, he has earned a tier-two qualification onto the PGA Tour of Australasia and qualification on to the New Zealand PGA Tour.

His recent form suggests he is well prepared for the upcoming PGA Tour of Australasia events.

This year, he has competed in five tournaments in New Zealand recording two wins, a second, a fourth and missing the cut once.

"It helps with my confidence going into overseas events," he said.

"I wasn't too sure about my swing [earlier this year], I wasn't playing too good in the practice rounds but in the actual tournaments I was putting out a decent number."

Lee said he was looking forward to some of the biggest tournaments of his career including the 2014 Papua New Guinea Open, starting on May 8, and the Tahiti Open starting on June 4.

"This will be my first time playing overseas as a pro so I'm looking forward to it. It will be a whole different field and a different experience."

Lee will jump on a plane tomorrow to fly to Papua New Guinea. He will play two big tournaments there before spending two-and-a-half weeks playing Pro-Am events in Australia.

He will then return to New Zealand for two days before leaving for the Pacific islands, to compete in the Tahiti Open and the Samoa Open. He plans to be back home at the end of June.

Lee said he was enjoying life as a professional.

"I take golf a lot more seriously now, which is good," he said. "It is good to do this as a job and be rewarded for playing good golf."

Lee is no relation to Rotorua's Danny Lee, who is currently playing on the PGA Tour.