Home SPORTS Lee Holds Off Scheffler to Claim Maiden PGA Tour Victory

Lee Holds Off Scheffler to Claim Maiden PGA Tour Victory

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Min Woo Lee wins the Houston Open, his first PGA Tour title. Find out how he held off Scottie Scheffler and get the latest golf news.



Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Title

In a thrilling finale at the Houston Open, Australia's Min Woo Lee held off a determined challenge from world number one Scottie Scheffler to secure his maiden PGA Tour title. Lee's one-shot victory came after he carded a closing three-under-par 67, finishing on 20-under at Memorial Park.


Lee had established a four-stroke lead with a dazzling 63 in Saturday's third round, setting himself up for a tense final day. Despite withstanding intense pressure from Scheffler, who posted a 63 to finish tied for second alongside Gary Woodland, Lee demonstrated remarkable composure to emerge victorious. “It's hard, really hard,” a relieved Lee said after his triumph. “Scottie is a wonderful golfer and he keeps you on your toes.”


Lee's win marked a significant milestone in his career, as he navigated the challenges of being in front and trying to hold a lead for the first time. “This is my first time being in front and trying to hold a lead. I'm glad I got it done, but man, I'm just very exhausted,” Lee admitted. The Australian golfer also expressed pride in his mental toughness, saying, “It was a lot of mental grind. I'm so proud of the way I handled myself.”


Late Drama at the Houston Open

Min Woo Lee appeared to be coasting to victory, having played bogey-free through 15 holes and holding a three-shot lead with just three holes remaining. However, his seemingly effortless round hit a speed bump on the par-five 16th, where he sliced his tee shot into the water. Despite the setback, Lee managed to salvage a bogey, limiting the damage and maintaining a slender lead.


As Lee wobbled, Scottie Scheffler sensed an opportunity to pounce. Playing in the group ahead of Lee, Scheffler had narrowly missed an eagle putt on the 16th that would have tied him for the lead. Instead, he settled for a birdie, moving within one shot of Lee with two holes left to play. Meanwhile, Gary Woodland had burst into contention with a scintillating eight-under-par 62, equalling the course record that Scheffler had matched in the second round.


Woodland's brilliant birdie on the par-four 18th had brought him within one shot of Lee, courtesy of a stunning 199-yard second shot that left him just two feet from the hole. As Scheffler prepared to play his second shot on the 18th, he knew he desperately needed a birdie to apply pressure on Lee. However, his under-hit approach left him just off the green, 77 feet from the pin, effectively ending his chances of forcing his way into the reckoning.




Lee Seals Victory with Clutch Putt

After Scheffler's chances slipped away, Min Woo Lee headed to the 18th hole with a slender one-shot lead, knowing that a par would be sufficient to secure victory. However, Lee's path to triumph was not without its challenges. His tee shot on the 18th veered wide of the fairway, and his second shot carried through the back of the green, leaving him 53 feet from the hole.


With tension building, Lee summoned a brilliant putt that stopped mere inches from the hole. This clutch shot allowed him to tap in for par, sealing his hard-fought victory. The win marked a significant milestone in Lee's career, and he was visibly relieved as he secured his first PGA Tour title.




The tournament also saw impressive performances from other golfers. Finland's Sami Valimaki finished alone in fourth place on 17 under, three shots off the lead, after carding a course-record 62. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, and Taylor Pendrith were tied for fifth place on 15 under. McIlroy's closing round of six-under-par 64 was particularly notable, featuring six birdies and an eagle.




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