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Danny Lee earns first PGA victory with playoff win at Greenbrier

 
Published July 6, 2015

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Danny Lee was overcome with nerves after qualifying for a four-man playoff at the Greenbrier Classic.

By the time he walked to the first playoff tee, he was ready.

Lee earned his first PGA Tour victory when he parred the second hole of Sunday's sudden-death playoff, eliminating David Hearn after Kevin Kisner and Robert Streb faltered on the first playoff hole.

"All I can say is, 'Wow,' " Lee said. "I finally did it."

Lee, Hearn, Kisner and Streb were at 13-under 267 after four rounds on the Old White TPC course. And Lee wasn't in a good place mentally heading into the playoff.

"I was so nervous," he said. "My head was blank, and I was just trying to breathe."

Lee said his caddie, Kurt Kowaluk, put the piece of paper indicating his playoff starting position into a mock wishing well on the par-3 18th tee.

"He put it in there so I can win it," Lee said.

By then, Lee had his focus back.

"I felt ready," he said. "I felt like I could really win this thing."

The South Korean-born New Zealander earned $1.2 million and became the ninth first-time winner on the tour this season.

The former U.S. Amateur champion was competing in his 27th event this season and eighth in nine weeks. He is trying to qualify for the international team for the Presidents Cup in October in South Korea. He was 47th in the standings heading into the Greenbrier Classic.

"I never get tired of playing golf," said Lee, 24, who has played in 98 PGA events. "I mean, it's my job, and I just love doing it, and I'm just happy to be out here every week."

Kisner shot 6-under 64 to get to the clubhouse at 13 under. Hearn (67) and Lee (67) birdied No. 17 to join the playoff. Both missed birdie putts for the lead on the final hole in regulation. Streb shot 5-under 65.

Tiger Woods shot a bogey-free 67 and said he made some "nice strides" heading into next week's British Open. He broke a streak of 55 rounds with at least one bogey.