New Zealand golfer Danny Lee walked off the course after his first round at the Olympics bemoaning his putting failures. He wasn’t saying that today.
The 26-year-old Lee was in sublime form, shooting a 65, the low round of the day, to propel himself up the leaderboard into a tie for sixth halfway through the tournament.
Lee has forged a reputation on the tough United States PGA tour of mixing excellent rounds with the odd shocker.
In Rio he was disappointed with his first round 72, but today’s round included nine birdies, four over the final four holes. He said it left him in a very good position.
“That's the kind of finish that you're definitely looking for,” he said.
“I played very solid today. Ball-striking wise I don't think I can hit it any better than that.
“I've been hitting it good the last couple of months. I've been struggling with my putting a little bit, but obviously today was a lot better.
Lee said he felt good crowd support from a New Zealand group over the final few holes. “It kind of gave me the fire for four birdies in a row.”
Lee’s round could have been even better, because he all but eagled the 18th.
The other New Zealander in the field, Aucklander Ryan Fox couldn’t capitalise on his good start to the tournament, following his opening 70 with a two over par 73 that included two double bogeys. After two rounds he is tied for 37th.
Australian Marcus Fraser held on to the lead after shooting a 69. He is on 132, one ahead of Belgian Thomas Peters, two ahead of the betting favourite, Henrik Stenson of Sweden and five ahead of Lee.