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Lee Can Make History In U.S. Amateur Final

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The Associated Press

Published: August 24, 2008

PINEHURST, N.C. - After a week full of autographs and adulation, Danny Lee is starting to feel like Tiger Woods at the U.S. Amateur.

One more victory, and he'll surpass him.

Lee moved to the brink of supplanting Woods as the youngest champion in Amateur history on Saturday by defeating Patrick Reed 3 and 2 in one semifinal.

If Lee - who is 18 years, 1 month old - beats Florida State sophomore Drew Kittleson in today's 36-hole final, he would be six months and 29 days younger than Woods was when he won his first Amateur in 1994.

"I'm just having a really, really good week," Lee said. "Everything I hit, everything I putt just falls in the hole."

By advancing to the final, Lee and Kittleson earned exemptions into next year's U.S. Open and probable invitations to the Masters, as long as they remain amateurs.

For the past week, all eyes have been on Lee. The world's top-ranked amateur and closest thing this event has to a celebrity will play competitive golf for the 11th consecutive day.

The other semifinal also was decided on the 16th, where Kittleson's 20-foot par putt wrapped up a 4-and-2 victory against Georgia senior Adam Mitchell.

Kittleson, of Scottsdale, Ariz., had to rally to extend his second Amateur appearance after Mitchell went 2-up through four holes.

Kittleson squared the match with a birdie on the par-4 seventh, then took the lead for good midway through his round.

Kittleson took a 3-up lead through 15 holes to put Mitchell in a must-win situation.

The Georgia senior's drive found the sand to the right of the fairway, his recovery attempt sailed into left-side rough and his third shot nearly rolled off the back of the green before stopping 30 feet from the pin. His uphill putt broke left and rolled 2 feet past the hole.

Meanwhile, Kittleson placed his chip about 20 feet from the flagstick and then sinking his long putt to end the match.

Alfredsson Shoots 67, Takes Safeway Classic Lead

PORTLAND, Ore. - Helen Alfredsson shot a 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Safeway Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Alfredsson matched her first round of 67 for a 10-under 134, one stroke ahead of Sophie Gustafson, who shot 68.

Three strokes behind Alfredsson in third place at 137 are Paula Creamer (68) and Kelli Kuehne (70).

CHAMPIONS TOUR: At Snoqualmie, Wash., Scott Simpson used a new putter and matched the lowest round of the tournament with a 6-under 66 and holds a two-shot lead entering the final round of the Boeing Classic.

Simpson made five birdies on the back nine, running off a string of one-putts to put himself in position for his first victory in nearly two years.

PGA EUROPEAN: Ryder Cup contender Darren Clarke shot a 4-under 66 for a 198 total and a three-stroke lead at the KLM Open.

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