Lee’s tantrum tarnishes his reputation
Danny Lee is in danger of being permanently tagged with the label no professional sportsperson desires – quitter.
Bad loser? Well, that’s been thrown at him too.
Some athletes pride themselves on their distaste for being beaten – but most use that motivation to be better next time.
The problem for the Kiwi golferwho once had the world at his feet is that these barbs aren’t lightly launched, have a pathway of accuracy and the potential to stick.
Leewithdrew after his third round at the US Open innew York on Sunday, citing awrist injury after an unforgettable sixputt ‘effort’ on the last hole at Winged Foot.
The youngest winner of the US Amateur tournament in 2008 and formerly the best amateur in the world has failed to finish 15 tournaments during his pro career, with 11withdrawals and four disqualifications. Among those:
❏ 2017 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am: Lee withdraws after being five-over par during his first round.
❏ 2017 John Deere Classic: W/D after one round, a threeover 74, citing a shoulder and wrist injuries.
❏ 2017Bmwchampionship: W/D after just two holes with an apparent lower-back complaint.
Leewithdrew twice last year after poor opening rounds so Sunday’s disappearance from the tournament did not come as a surprise for golf followers.
Former Kiwi PGA Tour player Phil Tautarangi had already touched on these issues three years ago.
‘‘Unfortunately, Danny has kind of shown us in a couple of instances if it hasn’t quite gone his way, or if he’s dealing with something, he opts to step it out instead of grind it out.
‘‘He’s been battling a few niggly things throughout the course of the season, but there are times when you’re not quite sure with Danny how much persistence or resilience is there.’’
When the W/DS and the D/QS come with a highly public tantrum, Lee’s reputation gets hit harder than a ball off the tee by Bryson Dechambeau.
Following his Open meltdown, Lee was castigated by Brendan Porath on the Shotgun Start podcast. ‘‘That guy shouldn’t be allowed to play in a USGA Championship for a while,’’ Porath said.
Daniel Rappaport wrote for Golfworld that ‘‘maybe the Powers That Be politely suggested he pull out of the tournament after that childish tantrum’’.
There was a tonne of confusion as towhat the withdrawal cost Lee financially – one report said his W/D meant he wasn’t entitled to any prizemoney, another said he’d get last placeworth somewhere in the range of US$25,000 (NZ$37,500).
Had hemade his initial par putt that just shaved the hole on Sunday, he’d have started the final round tied in 34, which paid US$68,000 (NZ$102,000) if he’d had an average final round.
Given Lee has made more than US$14 million (NZ$21M) in his career, hemay not give a jot about bailing on the odd tournament. He may also not lose a second’s sleep worrying what fans and themedia make of his patchy record.
But golf is hard enough to playwithout a chip on your shoulder and people on your back.