Min Woo Lee holds nerve to claim Houston Open title for first PGA Tour win

Australian golfer Min Woo Lee emerged victorious at the Houston Open after a tense final round, securing his first PGA Tour title.

Lee stood on the 18th tee at Memorial Park Golf Course with a one-shot lead over world number one Scottie Scheffler and 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland.

His second shot drifted off the green, but a crucial putt left the West Australian just inches from the hole. Lee held his nerve, tapped in for par to avoid a playoff, and won by a single stroke with a score of 20-under par.

"It's pretty unreal," Lee said. "I mean, it was such a grind out there, and I'm really proud of it. Just looking around, the Houston crowd was amazing, and Scottie was there, so it was nerve-wracking."

Scheffler, world number two Rory McIlroy, and several other heavyweights applied pressure on Lee. Lee had previously secured professional victories on the European, Asian, and Australian tours. After extending his four-shot lead from the end of the third round to five shots at one point on the final day, Lee's advantage was reduced to a single stroke on the back nine.

He hit his tee shot into the water on the par-5 16th hole, while Scheffler birdied four consecutive holes. But Lee recovered from his first bogey in 41 holes to par the final two holes, securing the most significant victory of his career. His brilliant par save on the 72nd hole – from 54 feet, just off the green to within a foot – epitomized the 26-year-old's resilience.

Lee ultimately carded a 3-under 67. Scheffler shot an impressive 7-under 63 to finish tied for second with Woodland. Woodland led in the clubhouse at 19-under, posting a course-record-equaling 62, a score matched later by Finland's Sami Valimaki, who finished fourth at 17-under.

McIlroy, who started the day eight shots back, ultimately finished tied for fifth at 15-under after a round featuring birdies and six eagles. But the day and the honors belonged to Lee, who showed both composure and brilliance ahead of The Masters, the year's first major, which begins in 11 days at Augusta National.