Min Woo Lee Wins First PGA Tour Event, Following in Sister’s Footsteps

Min Woo Lee won his inaugural PGA Tour title on Sunday, fending off late challenges from his competitors to secure victory at the Houston Open, thus entering an elite circle of champions.

Lee had a commanding five-shot lead as he approached the final holes, but strong finishes from Gary Woodland, who carded four birdies in his last four holes, and Scottie Scheffler, who also notched four consecutive birdies on the back nine, tightened the competition.

Despite a bogey on the 16th hole after finding the water, the Australian golfer managed to finish with two pars, preserving his slim one-shot advantage. He tapped in from close range on the final hole to confirm his first PGA Tour win.

The 26-year-old celebrated exuberantly, bending over and pumping his fists in joy once the victory was official, finishing the tournament with a remarkable score of 20-under 260, which set a new tournament record by four strokes.

“That’s why Sundays are so challenging,” Lee reflected afterward. “You know others are closing in. You know they’re making their moves.”

He marked the occasion with a video call to his sister, Minjee Lee, a two-time major champion on the LPGA Tour.

After his victory, the siblings become only the third pair of siblings to achieve victories on both the PGA and LPGA Tours.

Lee’s win in Houston may mark a pivotal moment in his career, as he has previously finished as a runner-up twice on the PGA Tour and boasts four top-five finishes.

Renowned for his impressive wedge play and powerful drives, Lee showcased a well-rounded game at Memorial Park.

His third-round score of seven-under-par 63 established a four-shot lead going into Sunday, which expanded to five as he maintained his composure.

The only hiccup during his outstanding performance in Houston occurred when he hit his shot into the water on the par-five 16th hole. However, he managed to regain his focus and completed the round without any further mistakes, finally securing his place in the winner’s circle.

“It’s hard – it’s really hard,” Lee said. “Obviously, Scottie is a wonderful golfer and he keeps you on your toes. The first time being in front, I’m glad I got it done. I’m very exhausted. It was a lot of mental grind. I’m so proud of how I handled myself.”

Lee’s victory serves as excellent preparation for the Masters scheduled for April. Following the event, Woodland praised Lee for his ability to handle pressure during the final moments of the Houston Open.

“Everyone out here knows how talented the kid is. He’s an absolute stud,” the 2019 US Open champion said. “We all know, once you break through, for him sky’s the limit, so really happy for him. For me, it was great just to get those juices flowing again, just to see some results.”