Texas, United States: With his maiden PGA Tour title safely secured, Australian Min Woo Lee won’t be short on confidence when he makes his fourth Augusta National appearance next week.
At the Texas Children’s Houston Open on Sunday, the two-time former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) participant staved off the challenges of world number one Scottie Scheffler and Major champion Gary Woodland, clinching a tense one-stroke success.
“It was one of those where I think everything aligned this week. I’m so proud to be the winner of the trophy,” said the big-hitting 26-year-old, tipped for the top by many following an outstanding amateur career.
“I always felt like I had the assets to win, it was just can you do it mentally. They always say the six inches between your ears. I think that was a big part of this week,” Lee said of the mental capacity it takes to win on the PGA Tour.
In addition to top-25 finishes in the Masters Tournament in two of the past three years, Lee also has had top-25 finishes in five of the last nine Major championships, including a tie for fifth in the 2023 US Open at The Los Angeles Country Club.
Lee clinched his first PGA Tour title in a pulsating finish at Memorial Park Golf Course. He’s the eighth Australian to win the Houston Open which goes alongside three DP World Tour titles and the Asian Tour’s Macau Open in 2023.
In his two AAC outings, Lee finished joint third in New Zealand in 2017 and equal 16th in Singapore in 2018.
Four strokes clear at the start of the final round in Houston, Lee went out in two-under as Woodland first ate into the deficit and then Scheffler came with a late charge.
With Woodland first in the clubhouse at 19-under, Scheffler applied further pressure with four straight birdies from the 13th hole.
When Lee hit his tee shot into the water on the way to a bogey at the par-five 16th, the lead had shrunk to just one with two holes left to play.
He two-putted from the fringe for par at the par-four 17th and was faced with another long putt from just off the green at the 72nd hole. Showing commendable composure, he putted to within tap-in distance from 54 feet away.
Ever the showman, Lee then pretended to go through an AimPoint routine by straddling the line of his eight-inch putt, struggling to hold back tears as he tapped in.
He said: “There were a couple of slip-ups. But I played wonderful golf all week. It was really, really solid.
“I only won by one, so it’s tough. Keep doing what I’m doing. These guys that win, they’re mentally strong.”
