You may have overlooked this item on the weekly Page 2 golf package in Wednesday morning's edition, but ...
UCLA All-American Lucas Lee, a former Torrance High golf standout, announced Tuesday he will forgo his senior year and play as a professional in Stage 1 of the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, Oct. 27-28 at Carlton Oaks Country Club in San Diego. Prior to that, he will play professionally in the Golden State Tour's event on the same course, which started today (Wednesday).
"I would like to thank everyone at UCLA for helping me during my college career," said Lee, 21. "I will miss my teammates, the coaches and UCLA, but this has been my dream and it's time to pursue it."
A third-team All-American in 2007, Lee recorded five collegiate victories in three seasons, and leaves UCLA with a career scoring average of 72.7 and 14 career Top-10 finishes. Last season, he won the weather-shortened Augusta State Invitational with scores of 69-65 for a 10-under-par 134. He was a three-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection, earning second-team honors the last two seasons.
"Lucas has been a tremendous asset to the team on and off the golf course. He feels he is ready to pursue professional golf and we wish him great success," UCLA head coach Derek Freeman said in a statement. "We are disappointed that he is leaving UCLA. He feels that he is ready to pursue professional golf and we wish him great success."
Lee enjoyed a productive summer, finishing fourth at the Porter Cup and tied for seventh at the Western Amateur. Last fall he tried unsuccessfully as an amateur to advance through Q-School.
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Lee graduated from Torrance in 2005. He twice earned AJGA All-America honors during an exceptional junior career.
Lee joins former Tartar Angela Park in the pro golf world ... Park earned LPGA Rookie of the Year honors in 2007 and has had the lead at the last two U.S. Women's Opens.
With this year's girls team (led by Jane Rah, Jenny Shin and Demi Runas) again considered among the best in the state, it's safe to say Lee and Park will see more Tartars teeing off on the pro tours in the not-so-distant future.
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