Golf: Kiwi greats Frank Nobilo, Greg Turner back Danny Lee after US Open meltdown

 The Kiwi golfing fraternity has offered up their support for Danny Lee, after footage emerged of his US Open meltdown.

Lee was three over par in his third round at Winged Foot, when his tournament unravelled at the 18th hole. A simple four-foot putt for par turned into a horror six-putt quintuple bogey nine to finish his round and, ultimately, his tournament. 

Lee walked off the green and the wrist injury cited for his withdrawl might have occurred as he took his frustration out on his bag. 

The picures aren't pretty, but Lee has received support and perspective from fellow Kiwi golfer Greg Turner. 

"Nobody died, ya know," chuckles Turner, who compiled 10 professional wins in Europe and Australasia, and tied for seventh at the 1996 British Open Championships.

"It won't be on his highlight reel from his career, but he's just a human, isn't he?" 

And he's still the cream of the Kiwi crop, according to Frank Nobilo, who told Newshub: "When you work that hard and try your butt off, every now and again, the string snaps.

"You pick yourself up and you keep trying. He won't be proud of it and he will work even harder.

"Danny, at present, is our best player and if the rest of our players had his work ethic and talent, we would have more on the world stage," says Nobilo, who has five top-10 Major finishes to his name.

"He's a lone soldier out there."  

Lee's meltdown has been described as disgraceful and unprofessional, but Turner has a message for the haters.

"Get a life, really," he says. 

Lee wasn't alone in his troubles at Winged Foot - the only person to shoot under par in the final round was eventually crowned US Open champion.

American Bryson DeChambeau's closing 67 secured a come-from-behind six-shot victory and his maiden Major title.