Danny Lee clinches maiden PGA Tour win

• Danny Lee clinches play-off victory at the Greenbrier Classic
• Sees off Kevin Kisner, Robert Streb and David Hearn
• Also secures qualification for the Open at St Andrews

Danny Lee claimed his maiden win on the PGA Tour and clinched a spot at the Open at St Andrews in the process after coming through a four-man play-off at the Greenbrier Classic.

The 24-year-old New Zealander, who won the Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour as an amateur back in 2009, started his final round one shot back in a crammed leaderboard and reached 13-under-par to sit alongside Kevin Kisner, Robert Streb and David Hearn.

Kisner, who was playing in his third play-off of the season, and Streb were eliminated at the first play-off after Lee and Hearn both carded birdies, while a par at the second play-off hole was enough to see Lee lift the trophy after Hearn had got into trouble.

“After I finished at 13-under, I was just trying to calm down as I was so nervous,” Danny Lee admitted. “My head was blank and I was just trying to breathe, but as soon as I stood on the 18th tee box, I felt ready.

CONTINUES BELOW…

“I felt like I could really win this thing, and I hit a good 7-iron, a little bit short left of the cup, and I had the exact same putt on the 18th, so I knew where I had to hit it, and I hit it there, and it went in. It was amazing.”

Lee is now set for his first appearance at the Open Championship and only the third major start of his career after this year’s US Open and the 2009 Masters, and he now can’t wait to tee it up at St Andrews.

“I’ve always wanted to play there, and now I get to go over there. I can’t wait” – Danny Lee

“It was a life-changing putt,” said Lee. “I’m very excited to play in another major, have another opportunity to go out there and play, try my best. The US Open was a little bit tough for me. I got my ass kicked there but hopefully I’ll do a lot better at this one.

“It’s very lucky that they’re playing at St Andrews. I’ve always wanted to play there, and now I get to go over there. I can’t wait.”

As well as Danny Lee, Hearn, James Hahn and Greg Owen have also achieved qualification for the Open with four spots up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods carded his first bogey-free round for almost two years on Sunday en route to a final round of 67 as he finished T32.

Danny Lee :: Breakthrough win

After his maiden PGA Tour win, are there more to come from Danny Lee? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.