Danny Lee Gets New Caddie

Danny Lee will have a new caddie as he continues to take on the challenges of the PGA Tour. The 18-year-old reigning U.S. Amateur champion, who turned professional in April, had lost the services of New Zealand caddie Anthony Knight.

Knight planned to assist Lee for the remainder of the year as the Korean-born New Zealand-raised prodigy seeks to win enough money to give him full playing status on the PGA Tour. But Knight became uncomfortable with new work conditions and stepped aside.

IMG, Lee's management company, has arranged for American Don Donatello to join the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic champion for the $6.5 million Byron Nelson Championship, which starts Thursday at TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas. It will mark Lee's third start as a pro on the PGA Tour.

IMG account executive Kevin Lynch, who specializes in player management, told New Zealand's NZPA on Tuesday that Donatello would work with Lee. Donatello has previously worked with Chris DiMarco, a three-time tour winner as well as Kevin Na and Eric Axley.

Lynch explained the reasoning behind Knight's departure. "Because it is so early in Danny's pro career, he doesn't really know what he wants and what he doesn't want yet in a caddie," Lynch said. "We've suggested he tries out a couple of caddies to see what he likes. There was never anything personal regarding Anthony. It's more a product of finding out what sort of caddie best suits Danny.

"It is possible some time in the future that Danny and Anthony will start working together, although I don't have a crystal ball. Certainly in Danny's mind, he has not ruled that out."

Lee is making the adjustment as a touring pro. "He's definitely chomping at the bit and he's starting to play real good," Lynch said. "When he made the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship (at the start of this month) you could tell that he felt like he had got a monkey off his back by making his first cut as a professional."

As a non-member of the PGA Tour Lee can play up to 12 events, and no more than seven on sponsors' or foreign exemptions. If he earns enough money to be ranked in the top 150 based on the 2008 money list ($537,958), he can take up temporary status on the tour and accept unlimited sponsors' exemptions. The ultimate goal is to finish in the top 125 to earn his full card for 2010.

Asked whether it's realistic for Lee to make it as a full-time touring pro, Lynch said: "I don't think it is realistic in a lot of cases but in Danny's case I think it is very do-able. Because he has played in a lot of professional events, albeit as an amateur, he's had enough success in pro events."

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