6 Jul 2015

Danny Lee into the record books

2:58 pm on 6 July 2015

The New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has won his maiden PGA Tour title, becoming the first New Zealander to win on the Tour in 10 years.

He also picks up a winner's cheque of NZ$1.8 million, and books his place at the upcoming British Open major, along with Aucklander Ryan Fox, as well as the next two majors: the PGA Championship and the Masters.

Danny Lee shakes hands with Chad Collins on the 18th hole during the final round of the Greenbrier Classic.

Danny Lee shakes hands with Chad Collins on the 18th hole during the final round of the Greenbrier Classic. Photo: AFP

Lee was in a four way play-off after firing a final round 67 at the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia. He was almost speechless afterwards about his breakthrough triumph.

"All I can say is wow, it's just amazing, it feels amazing," he said in a television interview straight afterwards. I mean, I was so close a lot of times this year, and I finally did it and wow! Now I understand what winning feels like."

The 24-year-old finished 13 under for the tournament, along with the two remaining Americans, Robert Streb and Kevin Kisner, and David Hearn of Canada.

Lee birdied his first play-off hole, on the 18th, as did Hearn to make it a two-man showdown on the 17th.

He made par on the 17th, while Hearn bogied the hole.

Lee, who has a world ranking of 158th, will pick up a winner's cheque of NZ$1.8 million.

The last New Zealander to win a PGA Tour event was Michael Campbell at the US Open in 2005.

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