Richard Lee

The Canada native moved to Arizona in early 2005, played in the 2005 U.S. Amateur as a 14-year-old, shooting 71-78 and missing the cut by three shots. His last junior victory came at the AJGA's season-opening ReBath Heather Farr Classic in April, where he shot a first-round 64. Lee's father Jeff, was a roommate of PGA Tour pro K.J. Choi during their time on the Korean PGA, and they remain good friends. Lee, a sophomore and two-time state champion at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. was runner-up to Philip Francis at the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur. He announced last month that he would turn professional in the next event he plays in. Won't be this week however, he used his exemption from the Junior Amateur to go straight into regional qualifying so he has to play the U.S. Open as an amateur. Says he will turn pro right after and will Monday qualify for PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour events. Will also try to get sponsor exemptions and possibly not have to attend PGA Tour Q-school in the fall if he can win enough money.
Holds Canadian citizenship ... likes basketball and soccer ... his lowest competitive round: 62 in Canada in 2004 ... his most memorable golf experience is playing in the 2005 U.S. Amateur ... won 2007 Heather Farr Classic ... won 2006 AJGA Mirasol ... won2004 Junior Worlds (13-14 divisions) ... won 2006 Nike ... runner-up at 2005 Heather Farr ... runner-up at 2005 Robert Trent Jones ... runner-up at 2005 Trans America ... was 2006 Rolex Junior All-American 1st team.

Richard Lee is the epitome of a journeyman pro to root for. A one-time U.S. Open qualifier at Chambers Bay whose career was set back by a thumb injury, has conditional web.com Tour status but has been focused on trying to get into PGA Tour events. He did make the cut in this year�??s Genesis Open, but the 31-year-old University of Washington golfer has otherwise been a man without a tour. Now living in Arizona, he made it through local qualifying at Phoenix Country Club and posted 64-68 at Big Canyon to finish tied for second with Fremont�??s Hayden Shieh.
Lee will stand out at Pebble Beach thanks to a magnificent mane.

�??About a year and a half,�?� he said when asked when it was cut.