Danny Lee from New Zealand Wins 2008 US Amateur Golf Championship

Danny Lee dominates the world of amateur golf.

When Danny Lee won the prestigious Western Amateur, he became world number one amateur according to the USGA and the Royal and Ancient Golf Association had him at number 2. After that win he finished tied for 20th in the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship.

Next on his hit list was the 2008 US Amateur, Pinehurst, North Carolina.

This meant, he was on paper the favourite to win one of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the world.

Unlike many New Zealand sports people that go into a major event as favourite, Danny Lee won, and won comfortably. At 18 years and 32 days he is 6 months 32 days younger than the great Tiger Woods when he won the first of his 3 successive US amateur championships in 1994.

Lee became the youngest player to win the title since it was first contested in 1895.

Lee is born in South Korea-born ,he emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Rotorua with his parents nine years ago.

Lee is the first New Zealander and just the ninth foreign-born player to hold aloft the Havemeyer Trophy. He beat Drew Kittleson 5 and 4 over a 36 hole final.

This now opens many doors for Danny. He gets entry into the Open Championship and US Open, with an invite coming from Augusta to play the Masters.

Then he will have the major decision on weather to turn professional and take the money that will be thrown at him or stay amateur and accept one of the many US college scholarships that will be sent to him.

Whatever Danny Lee decides he looks to have a long and successful golf career in front of him.

Danny Lee Facts

Danny Lee started playing golf at 8 after watching his mother, and becoming interested.

He practices around 40 hours a week, his coach at the time of this win is Steve Jessep.

His regional team is Bay of Plenty and his club is Springfield which he has shot 11 under 59 in a non-competitive round.

Before the US Amateur win his best amateur result was winning the 2007 New Zealand Amateur Championship.

His favourite golfer is Tiger Woods and he would love to win the Masters.