Known by millions of sports fans as ‘The Chef’ and ‘The Doctor’, Min Woo Lee now has a brand new monicker: PGA Tour Champion.
The Western Australian sensation held off world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and major champion Gary Woodland to win the Texas Children’s Houston Open by one stroke in a pulsating finish at Memorial Park Golf Course.
Four strokes clear at the start of the final round, the 26-year-old went out in two-under as Woodland first ate into the deficit and then Scheffler came on strong with a late charge.
With Woodland first in the clubhouse at 19-under thanks to an eagle at 16 and birdie on 18, 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, his 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 remarkable composure to putt to inside a foot from 54 feet away.
Min Woo reacts after hitting a 54-foot putt to eight inches at the 72nd hole
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 to complete an ascension in world golf that shows no signs of slowing.
“To get it done and hit shots that I didn’t trust a month ago, it’s unbelievable. It was a big mental grind and I’m very proud,” said Lee immediately after completing his round.
“The Houston crowd was awesome. Obviously Scottie was right there and it was nerve wracking.”
“I’ve been playing a lot of good golf over the last couple of months, so to get it done … I’m so proud. Let’s keep it going.”
Rounds of 66, 64, 63 and 67 gave Lee a 20-under-par winning total and he becomes the eighth Australian to win the Houston Open. His victory adds to his three DP World Tour titles that include the 2023 Australian PGA Championship.
With the victory, Lee banks US$1,710,000, 500 FedEx Cup points and exemptions into all of the remaining Signature Events for the year.
Lee will now head into The Masters next week high in confidence seeking to add a first Major Championship title to his already-impressive resume.
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