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Danny Lee - Source: Getty
Danny Lee has slipped 30 places to a share of 33rd after a disappointing four over par 74 at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club to lose touch with the leader at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
The 21-year-old Korean born Kiwi, who was in a share of the lead after round one with a superb nine under 63 at Pebble Beach, will return to the iconic US Open venue tomorrow 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.
It all started so well for Lee today as he was looking to become the first Kiwi to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Tataurangi at the Invensys Classic at Las Vegas in 2002.
He eagled his opening hole, the par five 10th, to get within two shots of Wi.
But it was a rare highlight as the former US Amateur champion lost his way and made five bogeys in the next eight holes of his outward nine for a three over 39.
Lee rallied with a birdie at the sixth, his 15th, before back to back bogeys on seven and eight sealed a disappointing third round for the New Zealand No.1.
The former New Zealand rep, who has made the cut in two from his five tournaments in 2012, is in line for his best finish this year.
Lee's best finish to date is a tie for 66th at the Humana Challenge in California where he made his first hole in one of the PGA Tour and earned the honour of Shot of the Week on the tour's home page.
Speaking after his round yesterday, Lee was optimistic about his form so far on the world's feature tours and is looking to create many more chances to win in 2012.
"I just need to stay patient," he said.
"I am only 21 years old and I am happy with the progress that I have made in my professional career so far.
"I am happy to be on the PGA Tour it is a dream come true for me. It is the tour that I always wanted to play on so it is great to be doing it every week," Lee continued.
"I am playing with the best golfers in the world and it is fun to be competing with them."
