Teenager Lee sets sights on Tiger after landmark victory

SYDNEY (Reuters) - If confidence counts for anything the sky is the limit for New Zealand teenager Danny Lee after his stunning victory in Sunday's Johnnie Walker Classic at Perth.

The 18-year-old had already caught the attention of the golfing world last year when he eclipsed Tiger Woods as the youngest U.S. amateur champion and Sunday's victory at the Vines Resort in Western Australia was even more impressive.

In difficult conditions, Lee came through a high-quality field to capture his first professional title and become the youngest ever player to win a European Tour event.

"My goal was to make the cut after two rounds then try to get into the top 20, but I played extremely well the last few days and so, here I am," he said in his softly spoken English.

Despite his tender age, Lee already plays like a seasoned professional. He hits the ball long and straight, has a tidy short game, can hole clutch putts and controls his emotions under pressure.

Inevitably, he has drawn comparisons with Woods and although he has no intention of challenging the American's amateur records, he does have the world number one in his sights.

"I can't compare to Tiger because he's the greatest player in the world, obviously," Lee told a news conference after Sunday's win.

"All I want to do is just break what he's done... (and be) the next Tiger Woods.

"Obviously I can't win three U.S. Amateurs in a row but I'll try to break his records on the PGA Tour.

"I always looked up to Tiger Woods when I was really young and he's still my idol. (Now) I get to play with him... How nice is that?"

MASTERS CHALLENGE

Lee will line up against Woods at the U.S. Masters in Augusta after securing his invitation by winning the amateur title last year.

Under the terms of the arrangement, Lee may also play in the same group as Woods at the U.S. Open but has to remain an amateur to take up the offers.

Lee turned down the cash he was entitled to after his victory on Sunday to play as an amateur at the Masters but plans to turn professional later this year.

"I have only watched (the US Masters) on TV and it looks pretty hard," he said.

"I will just go there and hope to learn one of the hardest golf courses in the world, just go up there and learn how to play some day."

Lee was born in South Korea but moved to New Zealand with his family when he was a child and later joined New Zealand Golf's high-performance unit.

He only took out New Zealand citizenship last year and is planning to return home next month to play the New Zealand PGA and New Zealand Open before heading to the U.S. for the Masters.

(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Kevin Fylan)