Australia’s Min Woo Lee claimed his first PGA Tour victory with a dramatic finish in a victory at the Houston Open.
Lee led by 21 under three shots from Scotty Schaeffler and Gary Woodland, then placed a tee shot in the water on the par 5 on the 16th to make a bogey.
Woodland finished with two birdies with Eagle from his final four holes, comparable to a 62 course record and set the clubhouse lead at 19 under.
Schaeffler, the world’s number one player who played in the penultimate group, had the opportunity to win a lead on the 17th, but missed out on the fifth consecutive birdie putt.
Lee needed a par to secure a victory on the 18th, managed it, hugging his nerves to 67 cards and cleared one shot at 20 under.
“It’s difficult, it’s really difficult,” said Lee, 26, after his victory. “Scotty is a great golfer and he has you on his toes.
“This is my first time and I am trying to hold the lead, and I am happy to be able to do that, but man, I am very tired.
“It was a lot of mental shattering. I’m very proud of the way I treated myself.”
Northern Ireland’s Lori McIlroy produced 64 impressive 6 under rounds.
“It was a good week,” said McIlroy, who hopes to complete his career grand slam by winning the Masters at Augusta next month.
“I still feel like I have something to work on. Overall, it’s great to have a solid week and get ready once more and tweak my game for Augusta.
“My right elbow has been bothering me a little. [I’ll] Maybe get some treatment for it and make sure it’s OK to go into Augusta. ”
