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Min Woo Lee Captures First PGA TOUR Victory at Texas Children’s Houston Open

Australia’s Min Woo Lee made history at Memorial Park Golf Course, clinching his first PGA TOUR title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. With a composed final-round 66, Lee finished at 20-under-par (260), securing a one-shot victory over Gary Woodland and Scottie Scheffler.

A Breakthrough Moment for Lee

At just 26 years old, Lee’s triumph came in his 56th PGA TOUR start, marking a significant career milestone. His record-breaking performance rewrote the tournament’s history books:

  • Lowest 72-hole score (260) in the event’s history (previous: 264, Tony Finau, 2022)

  • Best 54-hole score (193) of his career

  • First player since Paul Casey (2009) to win on debut at the event

Lee became the fifth first-time winner on TOUR this season and the 17th in tournament history. His victory also made him the 38th Australian to win on TOUR and the second this season, following Karl Vilips’ win at the Puerto Rico Open.

With the win, Lee earned 500 FedExCup points, propelling him from No. 60 to No. 16 in the standings—his highest career position. Additionally, he is projected to move from No. 55 to No. 22 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), cracking the top 25 for the first time.

Mental Strength Seals the Win

After securing his victory, Lee reflected on what it takes to win on the PGA TOUR, emphasizing the mental game as the defining factor.

“They always say the six inches between your ears, I think that was a big part of this week. I always felt like I had the assets to win, it was just can you do it mentally. Obviously, a couple slip-ups, especially on 16, the drive. Played very wonderful golf all week and really, really solid. I only won by one, so it's tough. Keep doing what I'm doing. And yeah, it's a lot of mental. These guys that win, they're mentally strong.”

Lee’s ability to stay composed under pressure was key, particularly as he battled through the final stretch with Gary Woodland and Scottie Scheffler close behind.

Woodland’s Resurgence and Scheffler’s Near Miss

Gary Woodland (T2, -19) delivered a remarkable final-round 62, the lowest score of the day, to claim his best finish since winning the 2019 U.S. Open. His performance was a testament to his resilience following brain surgery in September 2023. The 2025 PGA TOUR Courage Award winner returned to competition at the 2024 Sony Open and has now recorded two top-10 finishes in 34 starts since surgery.

Scottie Scheffler (T2, -19), the World No. 1, secured his third career runner-up finish at this event (T2 in 2021, 2024, and 2025). He has now notched 10 career runner-up finishes on TOUR and three top-10s in six starts this season.

International Strength and Masters Implications

Lee’s victory continues the strong international presence on TOUR this season—nine of the 14 events have been won by international players. The tournament also held significant Masters implications, with J.J. Spaun (No. 28 OWGR), Stephan Jaeger (No. 42), and Michael Kim (No. 50) securing their spots at Augusta. Next week’s Valero Texas Open offers the final chance for players to earn a Masters invitation.

A Star on the Rise

With his breakthrough win, Min Woo Lee has solidified his place among the rising stars of the game. His ability to handle the pressure of a 54-hole lead, set tournament records, and hold off elite competition marks him as a player to watch for the rest of the season.

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