This week sees the second of the majors, the US Open at Pebble Beach, in California. Lee has a vastly improved record in the last three majors, T3rd at The Open Championship, T3rd in the PGA Championship and 2nd in The Masters. His best finish in the US Open, so far, is 3rd in 2008. On the back of his win at the St Jude Classic, Lee is hoping that this will be his year.
Only eight players have won the week before and gone on to win a major and the last European to win the U.S. Open was Tony Jacklin in 1970.
He reckons that there may be a bit of a crowd following his group, as he is paired with Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, but this will not be the first time in a major, for Lee, as he played the final round of the US Open in 2008, with Tiger, and finished third, his best finish so far. He was again paired with Tiger in the opening rounds of the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, when Lee finished third and Tiger missed the cut.
As Lee had been to Pebble Beach and done most of his preparation he hoped to take it a little easier at the start of the week "and build up my fitness and stamina for when the tournament kicks off on Thursday".
"The course was in spectacular condition. A real demand and test. It's going to be tough."
"I was fifth the last time the US Open was played at Pebble, in 2000 (71,71,76,71 - 289). I left a few shots out there in 2000 with some bad decision-making, so I know I can play the course. And my course management is far better these days".
"I love the way the USGA sets up their courses to test your accuracy and your long game. The rough is pretty severe again and that should work in my favour. I like the course, the set-up - and I like the way I'm playing."
Tee-times are 1.36 (21.36 BST) from the 1st on Thursday and 8.06 (BST - 8hrs) from the 10th on Friday. The weather is expected to be mainly sunny and the temperature around 59-63 degrees, somewhat cooler than last week's event.
The opening round did prove to be a tough test for Lee and many other players, when the field's stroke average was 75.2 and players struggled on the fast fairways and treacherous afternoon greens. Blustery wind was also added to the mix. Lee had a disappointing start, 4-over par after 5 holes but he picked up a shot at 7 to go out in 3-under par. The next thirteen holes, weren't uneventful either, bogeys at 11 and 12, birdies at 14 and 15, then another dropped shot at 17. A birdie at the final hole, saw him end the day with a 74, and in T47th place, with the leaders (Casey, Micheel and de Jonge) on 2-under par. He carded a second round 71 and remained on 3-over par, moving up to T16th position.
Lee had a third round tee-time of 2.40 with Tim Clark. Graeme McDowell was second round leader on 3-under par. Lee carded a disappointing third round 76 (three bogeys and a double bogey), and dropped to T30th. A final round with J Allred, produced a 71 and Lee, 8 -over par (292) for the event, finished in T16th place, with Graeme McDowell winning the title on even par.
Earning €90,299.10 in prize money, Lee has now dropped to 5th in the Race to Dubai with €1,192,926, but remains 3rd in World Ranking.
