Min Woo Lee secured his first PGA Tour title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, successfully fending off a late challenge from Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Starting the final round with a four-shot lead, Lee extended his advantage to five strokes thanks to a stellar performance, including three birdies in five holes around the turn.
Although his lead narrowed to one after a bogey on the 16th hole, Lee clinched the victory with a closing round of three-under 67, finishing one shot ahead of Scheffler and Gary Woodland, who both finished at 19 under par.
Scheffler, despite not securing a win in 2025, continued to demonstrate his exceptional skill with a bogey-free final round of 63, marking his second runner-up finish at Houston in as many years. Woodland’s remarkable final-round 62 not only set a personal best on the PGA Tour in six years but also matched the course record.
Finland’s Sami Valimaki finished in fourth place, three strokes behind Lee, while McIlroy wrapped up his final tournament before the Masters with a solid final round of 64, tying for fifth place alongside notable players including Wyndham Clark, Taylor Pendrith, and Alejandro Tosti.
Lee maintained composure throughout the final day, responding effectively after early setbacks and showcasing resilience with critical birdies on the back nine. His victory came after a challenging final hole, where he managed to save par despite landing in a tough position.
With this win, Lee expressed his gratitude and exhaustion, noting the mental challenge of maintaining his lead amidst pressure from world-class competitors. Meanwhile, Woodland’s strong finish and Valimaki’s performance highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament as the players prepared to head into the next events.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour will continue in Texas with the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. The winner of this event will earn a final invitation to The Masters, scheduled for April 10-13 at Augusta National, where Scheffler will defend his title, and McIlroy will seek to capture his fifth major championship.
