New Zealand golfer Danny Lee shot a one-over par 71 in the first round of strokeplay at the US Amateur Championship today, putting him in a tie for 36th.

Playing on the No 4 course at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina, the world No 1 amateur stumbled with a pair of bogeys on the front nine. He carded three more at the 11th, 12th and 13th holes.

Lee made the turn at one under with birdies on the 7th, 8th and 9th holes but added just one more on the back nine, at the 17th.

South Carolina’s Wesley Brian and Washington’s Andrew Putnam with three-under par 67s, jointly lead by one shot over a group of six players.

Only 20 players from the field of over 300 carded red figures today.

Lee, 18, had arrived at Pinehurst a day after completing a sparkling PGA tour appearance at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, also in North Carolina, where he finished in a tie for 20th after rounds of 68, 66, 67 and 67.

The field will be culled to 64 players for matchplay which begins on Thursday (NZT).

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Waikato’s James Gill, first alternate for the tournament, did not get a start.

The winner of the Havemeyer Trophy will earn invitations to next year’s US Open, British Open and Masters, plus the next 10 US Amateurs, as long as he stays amateur.

Lee qualified fifth after strokeplay last year but was eliminated in the first round of matchplay when the tournament was held at The Olympic Club near San Francisco.

Tags: US Amateur