European Tour Insider: Lee has bright future ahead

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Danny Lee, the youngest winner of a European Tour event, will participate in the Nationwide Tour's Moonah Classic this week.

Editor's note: Nick Dye is going to be giving PGATOUR.COM viewers an inside look at what's happening on the European Tour. Dye, who works with European Tour Radio, will be at more than 30 events this year and will file weekly columns on Wednesdays.

BALI, Indonesia -- Danny Lee is an exceptional talent.

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The U.S. Amateur champion became the youngest ever winner on the European Tour on Sunday when he won the Johnnie Walker Classic. At 18 years and 213 days, Lee smashes the record of the South African Dale Hayes who won the Spanish Open back in 1971.

He's become the second amateur to win on the Tour following Pablo Martin at the Estoril Open de Portugal two years ago. Martin opted to carry on his studies at Oklahoma State before turning pro at the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Lee, likewise, intends to pursue a few more avenues as an amateur, including taking up his place at the Masters at Augusta when he'd love to play alongside Tiger Woods. Then he plans to turn pro.

The New Zealand teenager who was born in Korea has long been touted for the top and certainly believes in his ability to make it in the game.

"I can't compare to Tiger, because he's one of the greatest players in the world," Lee said. "And all I want to do is just break what he's done, and obviously I can't win three events in a row, the U.S. Amateur, but I'll try to break his record on the PGA TOUR."

MOVE OVER CAMBO

Lee won at The Vines course in Perth, the scene of two excellent victories for the former U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell which did a lot to announce him to the world stage.

A little tongue in cheek, some commentators in New Zealand said "Cambo who?" after Lee's momentous win. The story of the 18-year-old's triumph has dominated the news bulletins as well as led the sports reports.

It's hoped Cambo will be back in action soon. He's still troubled by a long-term shoulder injury which meant he couldn't try for a third win over the Swan Valley track.

BIG THREE TOIL

Anthony Kim has ended his European Tour journey for the time being, finishing in a tie for 25th at the Johnnie Walker Classic.

The world No. 11 threatened briefly to make an impact on the second day, and closed with a fine 67, but rather like in Malaysia the previous week, he failed to show consistency and slumped to a third round 75.

His form -- or lack of it -- on the greens is to blame. "It's been the story of the last couple of weeks," Kim said. "I've hit it good enough to shoot some low scores, and it's unfortunate that I haven't gotten the ball in the hole faster."

At least Kim earned some cash towards the Race to Dubai. Camilo Villegas and home hope Greg Norman stayed for Saturday's Gala Dinner, but they were already out of the action.

CHRISSIE COUGHS UP

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Greg Norman poses with Brian Olsen, the artist who painted Norman's likeness.

Norman was present twice over at the Gala.

Sitting enthralled at a table alongside his new wife, Chris Evert, he marveled at the talents of performance artist Brian Olsen who, armed with several paintbrushes in each hand, produced amazing likenesses of Mick Jagger, Marilyn Monroe and Ray Charles.

Another blank black canvas was produced and as Olsen splashed paint around another image began to materialize. "Can you see what it is yet?" Greg knew once the nose was shaped.

Chris Evert snapped up at the portrait of The Shark at the subsequent auction with proceeds going to the relief fund for the Victorian bush fires.

GIVING BACK

Australian player Terry Pilkadaris spoke for many others when he pledged to support the charity drive.

"It's only a game of golf," he said. "At the end of the week, we're still there, we've still got everything, we haven't lost everything ... Everyone in Victoria, they've lost everything. Me hitting a golf ball around ain't too stressful."

HOT CHILE

Felipe Aguilar exemplifies the relaxed approach that can bear dividends at this game. The cool Chilean had a 24-hour journey from Santiago, and with no expectations ended up finishing second to Danny Lee.

"I just feel sorry for the people that are in the office right now," he said. "All my friends back home, they're not sleeping much, because they follow me on the Internet during the night and they still have to go to work at eight o'clock in the morning."

Aguilar defends his Indonesian Open title in Bali this week. "It's always good to get to a tournament, having played well the week before," he said. "I'm playing next week and then a PGA (TOUR) event in Puerto Rico (the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular)."

BALI BANKERS

As well as Aguilar, there are other players to look out for as the European Tour moves on to beautiful Bali.

The 2007 champion Mikko Ilonen from Finland looks to be finding some form.

England's Nick Dougherty and Graeme Storm both finished strongly in Perth and look to be worth following as the event is played on the holiday island for the first time.