New Zealand teenage golfer Danny Lee is looking to bounce back in the final round of the PGA's Quail Hollow Championship in North Carolina tomorrow after dropping three shots in his final two holes to slip behind five shots behind leader Zack Johnson.
"The last two holes really let me
down," Lee said. "New start tomorrow."
While the reigning US Amateur champion was assured of his first professional paycheck, today's stumble over the final two holes could cost him.
Lee, 18, made his first cut in his second tournament after turning pro and came to the 17th tee today at 9-under par. But he hit his tee shot into the water for a double bogey on the par-3.
Lee then missed a 1.5m putt for par on 18 for a 2-under par 70. He finished in a tie for 14th at 6-under.
World No 1 Tiger Woods dropped out of the lead with late bogeys for the second straight day, leaving former Masters champion Johnson with a two-shot advantage.
Johnson was among the few who survived the "Green Mile," the three-hole span of closing holes at Quail Hollow. He made a 12-foot birdie on the 17th that carried him to a 4-under 68 and a chance to win for the second time this year.
Johnson, at 11-under 205, was two shots ahead of Woods, Lucas Glover and George McNeill, all of whom bogeyed at least the last hole.
The final two groups, including Johnson and McNeill, had to wait out a 1 hour, 12 minute storm delay before finishing the 18th hole. US PGA Tour officials blew the horn to stop play right after Woods staggered to the finish line with a 70.
Lee is paired with fellow PGA Tour rookie Jeff Klauk for the final round.
- NZPA
