Television cameras and photographers caught D.H. Lee’s moment of pure frustration as he flipped out and flipped his middle finger Sunday after his approach shot went long at No. 12 during the AT&T National at Congressional.
From some angles by both television cameras and photographers, the gesture appeared to be directed at the nearby gallery.
Lee, who went on to bogey the hole, explained his gesture was not directed at anyone.
“No one heckled me. It was just out of frustration. It was aimed at the ball, not anyone in the crowd, and I regret what I did regardless of the reason. It’s something that I shouldn’t have done. Everybody makes mistakes, and I made this mistake, and I’m just going to learn from this.”
Lee’s frustration is understandable. He carded a 75 Saturday, dropping him from a share of fourth place to tie for 20th entering the final day.
Lee responded to the criticism and poor performance during Sunday’s final round by finishing with a tournament-best 7-under 64. He ended the day tied for third, a career best for the young South Korean.
Lee may be young and knows the game can test the best in a player. Learning to harness the frustration is something he knows he needs to work on.
Lee found motivation in trying to place himself back toward the top of the leaderboard in order to explain his actions from Saturday.
“What motivated me today was that if I finished the tournament the way I did (Saturday) and not play well, then I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to get an interview, to explain myself.”
Lee knows there have been consequences for his actions already and there could be more down the road. The PGA Tour could fine him for his behavior.
“I’ll probably hear about it, but even if they fine me I’m going to accept it. The fact is, I did it and I made a mistake. So if they fine me, I’m just going to accept it.”
Lee made a mistake and he knows it. He has the chance to learn from this incident and not flip birds or throw clubs in the future. It is after all, a gentleman’s game.