On a tense and thrilling Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course, Min Woo Lee emerged victorious at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, claiming his maiden PGA Tour title in a dramatic showdown against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and a resurgent Gary Woodland. The 26-year-old Australian, known for his prodigious power and flair, finished at 20-under 260, setting a tournament record and holding off a late charge from two of golf’s biggest names to secure a one-shot victory.
Lee entered the final round with a commanding four-shot lead, having dazzled the field with a third-round 63 to pull ahead of Scheffler, who had started Saturday with a one-shot advantage. The stage was set for a coronation, but what unfolded was a test of nerve that pushed Lee to his limits.
For much of the day, he appeared in control, carding a bogey-free 2-under 33 on the front nine and extending his lead to five shots at one point on the back. His precision and composure belied the pressure of chasing a first PGA Tour win, a milestone that had eluded him in his 55 previous starts.
However, the drama intensified as the final holes approached. Scheffler, playing in the group ahead, ignited the crowd with a blistering run of four consecutive birdies from holes 13 to 16, clawing his way to 19-under. Meanwhile, Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, posted an electrifying 8-under 62 — tying the course record — to join Scheffler at 19-under, setting a formidable clubhouse target.
Lee’s lead, once seemingly unassailable, began to waver when he stepped to the par-5 16th. A wayward tee shot found the water, ending a streak of 41 bogey-free holes and resulting in a costly bogey that slashed his cushion to just one stroke with two holes to play.
The pressure was palpable as Lee arrived at the 18th, a par-4 that demanded precision. His drive veered left, but Memorial Park’s minimal rough offered a reprieve. His approach, however, sailed over the green, leaving him with a daunting 55-foot putt from the fringe. With Scheffler watching from the scoring tent, and Woodland viewing a phone on the range, Lee faced a defining moment. Opting to putt rather than chip — a bold choice under the circumstances — he delivered what he later called the “best lag of my life.” The ball rolled to within inches of the cup, prompting a fist-pumping celebration as he tapped in for par to seal the win with a final-round 67.
“It’s hard — really hard,” Lee said afterward, exhaustion and pride evident in his voice. “Scottie is a wonderful golfer, and he keeps you on your toes. This was my first time being in front and trying to hold a lead, and I’m glad I got it done.
“It was a lot of mental grind, and I’m so proud of how I handled myself.”
Scheffler, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Lee’s resilience.
“I tried to put as much pressure on Min Woo as I could,” said the Texan, who closed with a 63 in his final tune-up before defending his Masters title.
“He played some really good golf. He made one mistake on 16, but he just went out and beat us this week.”
Woodland, whose runner-up finish marked his best result since undergoing brain surgery in 2023, praised Lee’s talent: “Everyone knows how good he is. Once you break through, the sky’s the limit.”
Lee’s victory, his fifth worldwide as a professional, adds a PGA Tour crown to a resume that already included three DP World Tour wins and an Asian Tour title. It also solidifies his status as one of golf’s rising stars, following in the footsteps of his sister, Minjee Lee, a major champion on the LPGA Tour.
With the Masters looming just days away, Lee’s triumph in Houston — complete with 500 FedExCup points and a $1.71 million prize — sends a resounding message: he’s ready to contend on the biggest stages.
For now, though, the celebration belongs to the young Aussie who stared down the world’s best and emerged a champion.
