Min Woo Lee edges Scottie Scheffler in Houston to secure first PGA Tour title

Australia's Min Woo Lee, aged 26, secured his inaugural PGA Tour title on Sunday by fending off a strong final-day effort from world number one Scottie Scheffler, winning by a single stroke at the Houston Open.

Lee, who had established a four-stroke advantage with an impressive 63 in the third round on Saturday, concluded the tournament with a three-under-par 67, bringing his total to 20-under at Memorial Park.

The 26-year-old from Perth managed to endure intense pressure from Scheffler, who recorded a 63 to finish in a tie for second place with Gary Woodland.

"It's hard, really hard," a relieved Lee said after his triumph. "Scottie is a wonderful golfer and he keeps you on your toes."

"This is my first time being in front and trying to hold a lead. I'm glad I got it done, but man, I'm just very exhausted."

"It was a lot of mental grind. I'm so proud of the way I handled myself."

Lee, a four-time champion on both the European and Asian tours, appeared to be on track for victory as he played the first 15 holes without a bogey, leading by three strokes with three holes remaining.

However, his momentum faltered on the par-five 16th hole when he hit his tee shot into the water, ultimately managing to salvage a bogey.

In the group ahead, Scheffler had an opportunity to tie for the lead but missed an eagle putt on the 16th. He settled for a birdie, bringing him within one stroke of Lee with two holes left to play.

Woodland also entered the competition with an impressive eight-under-par 62, matching the course record that Scheffler had set during the second round on Friday.

The former US Open champion closed the gap to Lee with a remarkable birdie on the par-four 18th, hitting a 199-yard second shot to just two feet from the hole for an easy tap-in.

Scheffler still had a chance to contend on the 18th hole. However, needing a birdie to apply pressure on Lee, he misjudged his second shot, leaving him just off the green and 77 feet from the pin.

He managed to make par, but this left Lee heading to the 18th hole with a one-shot advantage, knowing that a par would secure his victory.

Lee faced a challenging finish, as his tee shot on 18 veered off the fairway, and his second shot went past the green, leaving him 53 feet from the hole.

With the pressure mounting, Lee executed a superb putt that brought the ball within inches of the hole, allowing him to tap in for par and clinch the win.

Finland's Sami Valimaki finished in fourth place at 17 under, three strokes behind the leader, after also posting a course-record 62. Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, and Taylor Pendrith tied for fifth at 15 under, with McIlroy concluding his round with a six-under-par 64, which featured six birdies and an eagle.

SportsLigue