Min Woo Lee, the rising Australian golf star, is on the cusp of securing his first-ever PGA Tour title after a stunning third-round performance at the Houston Open on Saturday. With a seven-under-par 63 round, Lee surged to the top of the leaderboard, establishing a commanding four-shot lead over his closest competitors.
His flawless performance, marked by a streak of birdies and pars on every hole, propelled him past overnight leader Scottie Scheffler, positioning him as the favorite heading into the final round.
Lee’s Spectacular Third Round Performance
The 25-year-old Australian delivered a career-defining round, showcasing both precision and composure.
- Score: Seven-under-par 63
- Consistency: Recorded either a par or birdie on all 18 holes
- Lead: Built a four-shot advantage over the second-place competitor
Lee’s dominance came at the end of a grueling day, as he was required to finish the final two holes of his second round earlier on Saturday morning before starting his third round. Despite the physical toll, he delivered a near-flawless performance, highlighting his stamina and mental toughness.
“Today was a really long day, I need to get back into bed,” Lee quipped after his round. “Maybe that’s what I have to do. I might have to do two warm-ups, two physio sessions, and then maybe I can shoot seven-under all the time. It was great fun.”
Chasing the Title: The Final Round
Lee, whose older sister Minjee Lee is a renowned LPGA star, has yet to win on the PGA Tour in his 55 starts. However, he has consistently demonstrated his potential with impressive performances in major tournaments:
- 2023 Players Championship: Tied for 6th after contending through the closing stages
- 2023 US Open: Tied for 5th, marking his best finish in a major
This season, Lee has already shown strong form, finishing in a tie for 20th at the Players Championship, despite falling off in the final two rounds after a strong start.
Scottie Scheffler Falls Behind
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1, lost momentum after tying the course record with an eight-under 62 in the second round. On Saturday, he struggled to maintain his pace, finishing the day at 12-under-par, leaving him in a three-way tie for third with:
- Ryan Gerard (USA)
- Ryan Fox (New Zealand)
Alejandro Tosti (Argentina) sits alone in second place, just one shot ahead of the trailing pack at 13-under-par.
Lee’s Strategy and Mental Preparation
Heading into the final round, Lee emphasized the importance of rest and recovery after the demanding day.
“It’s tough … we finished at 8 p.m. last night and we have to wake up at 5 a.m.,” Lee said. “You only have five or six hours of sleep… I’m proud of the way I handled myself today and hopefully I can do it again tomorrow.”
Lee’s calm and focused demeanor, combined with his sharp game, makes him the clear favorite to claim the Houston Open title. A victory would mark a breakthrough moment in his PGA Tour career and further cement his rising status in the golfing world.
Final Round Details
Lee will tee off for the deciding round at 1:01 p.m. ET on Sunday, aiming to close out the tournament with his maiden PGA Tour win.
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