by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
Korean New Zealander Danny Lee won his maiden PGA Tour title at the 2015 Greenbrier Classic on Sunday after a sudden-death playoff, reports the Associated Press.
After four rounds on the Old White TPC course in West Virginia, Lee shared the lead with David Hearn, Kevin Kisner and Robert Streb at 13 under. The 24-year-old golfer edged out the other three players with a par on the second playoff hole.
“All I can say is wow,” Lee told ESPN. “I finally did it. Now I understand what winning on the PGA Tour feels like.”
Danny Lee on his winner's jacket: "I'm probably a medium and this is an extra-large." pic.twitter.com/trubZTSnwV
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) July 5, 2015
With his victory, Lee earned $1.2 million and became the first New Zealander to win a U.S. PGA Tour title in 10 years as well as the ninth first-time winner on tour this season.
Lee’s win comes one week after he gave away his driver to a young fan during the final round of the Traveler’s Championship. Apparently, the change in driver worked in Lee’s favor at the Greenbier Classic.
“I think it was great karma,” Lee told ESPN about his unexpected charitable deed. He joked that he might give away other clubs to fans in future tours, although he plans to hold onto his new driver.
Danny Lee wasn't hitting the driver well. So he gave it to this fan. http://t.co/kpKmhHo5I9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 28, 2015
Born in South Korea, Lee immigrated to New Zealand at eight-years-old. At age 18, he became the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship in August 2008, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking until he turned pro the following year.
With his first PGA Tour title, Lee qualifies for this year’s Open Championship, the PGA Championship and the 2016 Masters Tournament.
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Featured image via ESPN (screenshot)
