Reigning U.S. Amateur Lee, 18, turns professional

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Danny Lee announced Tuesday that he has turned professional.

Fresh off his first appearance at the Masters last week, Danny Lee announced Tuesday that he has turned professional and will make his pro debut at the PGA TOUR's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, April 23-26.

In addition, Lee has signed with signed with IMG, the world's leading sports, entertainment and media company for worldwide management and marketing representation.

"I'm very proud of what I accomplished as an amateur but felt like the time was right to challenge myself at a higher level as a professional," said Lee. "I have already gotten a good sense of how much I can learn and grow from competing against the pros, especially last week being around so many great players at the Masters. I think the same is also true in working with IMG; they will help me be the best player I can be on the course and off. I'm especially looking forward to making my first start as a professional at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. I have heard wonderful things about both the tournament and the city."

The 18-year-old Lee, who was born in South Korea, but moved to New Zealand at the age of 8, enjoyed a prolific amateur career becoming the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur last August at the age of 18 years and one month, besting the previous record set by Tiger Woods in 1994, and earning him the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Earlier this year, Lee won the Johnnie Walker Classic as an amateur -- beating a field that included PGA TOUR stars Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, to become the youngest ever winner on the European Tour.

Following his professional debut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Lee will play in the Quail Hollow Championship (April 30-May), marking Lee's first return to North Carolina since winning the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pinehurst last August. He will also play at the HP Byron Nelson Championship (May 21-24), the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial (May 28-31), the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley (June 4-7) and the AT&T National (July 2-5).