Australian golf sensation Min Woo Lee has positioned himself for his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open, leading by four strokes heading into the final round after an impressive third-round performance.
On Saturday morning (AEDT), Lee, who played alongside Scottie Scheffler, achieved a remarkable score of 7-under 63 without a single bogey, successfully hitting 14 out of 18 greens. He began his day by completing the final two holes of his previous round, gaining momentum with a birdie on the 17th hole.
During the third round, Lee kicked off with a birdie on the par-5 third hole, but it was his chip-in on the sixth that marked a turning point in his round. Over the next nine holes, he recorded six birdies, including a near-hole in one on the par-3 ninth, where his 9-iron shot rolled agonisingly close to the hole, elevating him to the outright lead.
Despite making four consecutive pars to finish his round, Lee narrowly missed out on matching the course record with a birdie putt on the 18th hole that fell just short. Reflecting on his performance, Lee noted, “I’ve been playing really well over the past few days and keeping my focus,” and expressed optimism for the final round.
He indicated that his approach would remain consistent, emphasising steady play off the tee. Lee will compete in the final round against Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti, who climbed to second place with a 5-under par 65. Meanwhile, New Zealander Ryan Fox is tied for third alongside Scheffler and American Ryan Gerard, while Jason Day trails significantly behind in a tie for 41st at 5-under.
Lee’s confident mindset and proven gameplay set the stage for an exciting conclusion at the Houston Open.