Richard T. Lee (golfer)

Richard Taehoon Lee (born October 29, 1990) is a Canadian professional golfer who plays on the Asian Tour. He played in the 2007 U.S. Open at the age of sixteen. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he is now a resident of Chandler, Arizona. His father Jeff played professional tournament golf in South Korea and is now a teaching professional.[1]

Richard T. Lee
Personal information
Full nameRichard Taehoon Lee
Born (1990-10-29) October 29, 1990 (age 34)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight180 lb (82 kg; 13 st)
Sporting nationality Canada
ResidenceChandler, Arizona, U.S.
Career
Turned professional2007
Current tour(s)Asian Tour
Korean Tour
Former tour(s)Nationwide Tour
Professional wins5
Number of wins by tour
Asian Tour3
Other2
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenWD: 2007
The Open ChampionshipCUT: 2021
Achievements and awards
Asian Tour
Rookie of the Year
2013

Amateur career

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In 2006, at the age of 15, Lee was the runner-up to Philip Francis at the U.S. Junior Amateur.[2] The result gave him an exemption to sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open the following year. Lee finished as runner-up at his qualifier to earn entry to the 2007 U.S. Open,[3] becoming the second youngest golfer in the 107 year history of the tournament. However, he did not finish the tournament as he injured his wrist in the second round. He finished at +20, and turned professional at the conclusion of the tournament.

Professional career

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Lee played on the Nationwide Tour in 2011, but could not retain his card. In 2013, he finished runner-up at qualifying school for both the Asian Tour and the OneAsia Tour, signalling his intention to play full-time on that continent.[4][5] In March 2014, Lee won for the first time as a professional on the Asian Tour at the Solaire Open with a one shot victory, having been a runner-up the previous year. In September 2017 he had his second win on the Asian Tour, the Shinhan Donghae Open, an event co-sanctioned with the Korean Tour. A final round 66 gave him a one stroke victory over Gavin Green. In April 2019 Lee won again on the Korean Tour, in the DB Insurance Promy Open.

Professional wins (5)

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Asian Tour wins (3)

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Legend
International Series (1)
Other Asian Tour (2)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 Mar 16, 2014 Solaire Open −7 (68-70-70-69=277) 1 stroke   Chawalit Plaphol
2 Sep 17, 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open1 −11 (68-71-68-66=273) 1 stroke   Gavin Green
3 Nov 3, 2024 BNI Indonesian Masters −23 (62-67-66-70=265) 4 strokes   Chang Wei-lun,   Phachara Khongwatmai

1Co-sanctioned by the Korean Tour

Asian Tour playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 2019 Sarawak Championship   Andrew Dodt Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Korean Tour wins (3)

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No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 Sep 17, 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open1 −11 (68-71-68-66=273) 1 stroke   Gavin Green
2 Apr 21, 2019 DB Insurance Promy Open −14 (69-67-68-70=274) 1 stroke   Kim Jae-ho
3 Oct 24, 2021 Hana Bank Invitational −17 (66-67-64-70=267) 4 strokes   Kim Min-kyu

1Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour

Results in major championships

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Tournament 2007 2008 2009
U.S. Open WD
The Open Championship
Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
U.S. Open
The Open Championship
Tournament 2020 2021
U.S. Open
The Open Championship NT CUT

WD = withdrew
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic
Note: Lee only played in the U.S. Open and The Open Championship.

Results in World Golf Championships

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Tournament 2015
Championship
Match Play
Invitational
Champions T46
  Did not play

"T" = Tied

References

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