New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has slipped 30 places to a share of 33rd after a disappointing four over par 74 to lose touch with the leader at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am yesterday.
The 21-year-old South Korean-born Kiwi, who was in a share of the lead after roundone with a superb nine under 63 at Pebble Beach, will return to the iconic US Open venue today on a four-under-par total, 11 shots back from the leader South Korean Charlie Wi.
A host of big names including former world No 1 Tiger Woods (-11), Phil Mickelson (-9) and two-time champion Dustin Johnson (-9) will look to chase down Wi, who has won nine times internationally but is looking for his first win on the PGA Tour.
At one point Woods ran off five birdies in a six-hole span to charge up the leaderboard in California.
Yesterday had started well for Lee as he looked to become the first Kiwi to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Tataurangi in 2002. He eagled his opening hole at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club course to get within two shots of Wi.
But the former US Amateur champion lost his way and made five bogeys in the next eight holes for a three-over 39 on his front nine holes. Lee rallied with a birdie on his 15th, before back-to-back bogeys on seven and eight sealed a disappointing third round.
Despite the setback Lee, who has made the cut in two from five tournaments in 2012, is in line for his best finish this year.
