Min Woo Lee won the groundbreaking PGA Tour title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, with a back nine charge from Scotty Schaeffler and an impressive finish from Rory McIlroy.
Lee took a four-shot lead on the final day, briefly watching the lead on five strokes at Memorial Park Golf Course, with three birdies continuing to control the tournament around the turn.
The Australian stayed three ahead until the 16th par-5 on a bogey cut one lead as Schaeffler and Gary Woodland set the clubhouse target at 19 under.
Schaeffler has continued to win in 2025, but for the second year in a row, he finished runner-up at Houston, heading for the Masters title defense, Woodland recorded the best PGA Tour results after six years, equivalent to a course record in the final round of 62.
Finland’s Sami Varimaki finished his fourth three strokes after matching Woodland’s 62, but McIlroy finished his final start for Augusta National with a final round of 64 and a fifth finish.
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Rory McIlroy believes his performance has improved over the week at the Houston Open, and says it’s a good opportunity to prepare for future masters
How did Lee hold for a groundbreaking victory?
Lee took a four-shot lead on the final day and despite failing to convert the birdie look on the first two holes, he retained the advantage overnight, earning a shot on a third of the par-5 to get five clears.
Woodlands were closed within three after following three birdies in the second hole by adding another bar in the second eighth.
Lee finished the week at 20 under.
Lee rolled on par third No. 9 with a 5-foot birdie to reach turn 3 for the third time, and continued to take charge of the tournament despite a 12-day consecutive birdies being low scoring from the chase puck.
Schaeffler appeared not to be contested after 33 on the front nine, but birded five of the next seven holes. For four consecutive days, Woodland posted birdie Eagle runs from the 15th until the closure in Lee.
Lee blew a drive into the water on a par 5 before playing with three people, putting two times from 40 feet and leaving with a bogey alone, then making a par in front of one person.
His tee shot on his tee shot ended roughly at the end, and his approach landed on the backfringe, where Lee putts within six inches to congratulate him before tapping on the par putt for an emotional victory.
“To be honest, I played that bogey so much. [16th]Lee said Golf Channel. “It’s really hard. Clearly Scotty is a great golfer and he has you on his toes.
“I’m clearly happy I got it, but man, I’m very tired. It’s a lot of mental grind and I’m very proud of how I treated myself.”
Woodland was creating a great final hole birdie to share with Schaeffler the second as Valimaki jumped in with Eagle in fourth.
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Alejandro Tosti tries to drive the club out of frustration, leaving them completely missing without contact.
McIlroy heads to Augusta with a top 5 finish
McIlroy’s slim title hopes were effectively made when he first made a three-putt bogey, scrambling par in the next third place.
World No 2 gave the eighth-largest approach on par 5, drilling a hole in the putt from a similar distance on Eagle, and then watched him spin at 31, then added another birdie at 12am to get 6 under the day.
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McIlroy helped to card the incredible eagle and charge the leaderboard on the final day of the Houston Open
McIlroy saved par on the 14th by drilling holes from 8 feet and posting a 2-putt birdie on the 16th, but after going missing from the inside of 5 feet he ended up finishing 15 under 15 and finally saving par on the 15.
“The last three days have been really good,” McIlroy said. Golf Channel. “Yesterday I actually adjusted the driver a little bit. I went to range, got off the loft a bit and I definitely drove the ball better today. It was positive.
McIlroy’s next start will be Masters, where he has the opportunity to complete a career grand slam
“As the score suggests, I got better and better as I continued the week. It was a good week. I still feel like I have a few things to work on, but overall it’s a great week to tweak the game heading towards Augusto.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour will remain in Texas at Valero Texas Open, held at TPC San Antonio, securing a final invitation to masters, even if the winner is not yet exempt. Early coverage begins on Thursday at 1:15pm at Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage at 9pm.
The Masters will then be filmed at Augusta National from April 10-13, with Schaeffler defending the champion and McIlroy looking for a fifth major title. Watch the live show at Sky Sports Golf on Thursday, April 10th from 2pm. Get Sky Sports or Now streaming without a contract.
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