Min Woo Lee Australia’s highest ranked male golfer with Houston win
Min Woo Lee enjoying the moment in Houston – image Getty Images
Min Woo Lee has earned his first PGA Tour title by holding off two of the games greatest current players, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, amongst others to win the Texas Children’s Houston Open by one shot over Scheffler and Gary Woodland.
Beginning the final round with a four shot lead, Lee put together an impressive final round of 67, especially given what was at stake and although Woodland (62) and Scheffler (63) reeled of barnstorming final rounds to apply the upmost pressure to the 26 year old Lee was able to two putt from off the back of the green at the last to win and eevate his already impressive standing in the game.
With the win comes a cheque for US$1,710,000 and a highest ever world ranking of 22nd, but the confirmation that he is on track to fully realise the potential so many have seen in him since is early amateur days.
Lee is now the highest world-ranked Australian male golfer.
“It was a very mental grinding day but I’m super proud to win,” said Lee. “Yeah, it was just a very tough week. I mean, I had a lot of eyes on me obviously. I had a four-shot lead going down — the last round and yeah, I mean, I was obviously very tired, which helped go to sleep but I woke up and I couldn’t go back to sleep. It was one of those where I think just everything aligned this week. I’m so proud to be the winner of the trophy.”
When asked if he was aware of the situation throughout the round and if he took time to look at any leaderboards, Lee replied;
“Obviously Scottie’s right in front of me. It was a bit of a backup so we were waiting every hole. Scottie is Scottie. He made, I don’t know, four birdies in a row, I think three or four birdies in a row. I think I didn’t really not care, but I didn’t — I just focused on myself for a lot of it until probably 16 when I hit it in the water. I kind of wanted to know where I was.
“I was two shots in front, then I made bogey, he made birdie, then I was only one shot. Obviously he’s a great golfer, and I was just looking forward to if he made birdie on the next couple holes.
“I know it’s a two tough holes. No. 17 you can play aggressive, but I had a 7-iron in there and that’s not necessarily an easy par, but I hit it in the right spot on both 17 and 18 and yeah, got the job done. But yes, I did. That’s why Sundays are so tough, you know people are creeping and you know people are attacking.”
Lee moves to 16th in the FedEx Cup standings and becomes one of the new breed of young Australians to win on the PGA Tour in recent seasons including Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert and now Lee.
Ryan Fox began the day in a share of 3rd place but a final round of 71 led to a share of 15th – his best finish on the PGA Tour this season and moving him up 22 places to 117th in the FedEx Cup standings.
