U.S. Amateur Champ Lee Detained at Airport


Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Danny Lee was detained by airport authorities for making an "inappropriate comment" while checking in for an international flight in Auckland, N.Z.

Lee was with his New Zealand teammates 10 days ago as they were boarding a flight to Adelaide, Australia, to play in the Eisenhower Trophy world team championship. New Zealand Golf chief executive Bill MacGowan confirmed Lee made "an inappropriate comment" to check-in staff.

After being detained briefly, Lee was allowed to board the flight. "It was a throwaway comment, but it was said in the wrong place," MacGowan added. "They talked to him at the airport. They had a conversation with him about it and it is still being dealt with."

MacGowan said he didn't know what Lee said. Passengers can be charged under New Zealand aviation security laws for joking about bombs or firearms. Efforts by reporters to follow up with Lee have, so far, been unsuccessful.

Lee won the U.S. Amateur title at Pinehurst, N.C., in August, beating American Drew Kittleson 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final on the famed No. 2 course.