Golf: Lee back in form with 5th

New Zealand golfer Eddie Lee recorded a career-best result as a touring professional yesterday when he finished in a tie for fifth in the Japan Tour's Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Miyazaki.

It marked the 26-year-old's best return in three seasons in Japan.

A closing round of five-under 66 yesterday thrust him up the leaderboard although he finished seven shots outside of a playoff, won by Italian Edoardo Molinari over Swede Robert Karlsson.

It earned Lee a cheque for $120,000, lifting his season's earnings to $350,000 and leaving him 43rd on the tour money list with two events remaining.

Compatriot David Smail finished 20th equal yesterday and is 13th on the money list with tournament income this term of $865,000.