Irish disappoint as Danny Lee makes history in Perth

Ireland's Gareth Maybin, Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane finished in the pack at the Johnnie Walker Classic as 18-year-old Danny Lee became the youngest winner in the history of the European Tour in Perth.

The Irish trio went into the final round within striking distance of the lead but finished nine shots behind the New Zealand superstar after disappointing rounds of 74 left them tied for 36th at The Vines.

Lee showed nerves of steel and a temperament that belied his age as he birdied four of his final six holes to clinch victory by just one shot from Felipe Aguilar of Chile and Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita.

He became the youngest winner of a European Tour event at 18 years and 213 days and only the second amateur to clinch a European title.

Maybin could only manage two birdies in response to the four bogeys in his round, and playing partner Peter Lawrie scored similarly en-route to his 74.

No birdies on the outward nine was a telling statistic on Damien McGrane’s card. 

The world number 139 could only manage to pick shots up at the 10th and 18th while a double-bogey on the 16th inflicted further punishment on the Volvo China Open champion.

Those closing 74’s left the trio in amongst a group of players in a tie for 36th place.

As the top 64 golfers in the world head to the World Matchplay in America next week the European Tour moves onto the New Kuta Golf Club in Bali for the Indonesian Open.