Min Woo Lee set records on his way to his first PGA TOUR title as he won the 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open on Sunday at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.
Lee earned the win in his debut at the event, becoming the first player since Paul Casey in 2009 to win at their first start in Houston.
The Perth, Australia, native held off a surging group on Sunday, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland, who pulled within one stroke at 19-under and forced Lee to at least par Hole 18 to not force a playoff. After a tee shot that went wide left, Lee was able to save par to seal his first career PGA TOUR victory.
Lee also becomes the third first-time winner since the event moved to Memorial Park Golf Course, joining Carlos Ortiz (’20) and Stephan Jaeger (’24)
Woo moved up the leaderboard over the weekend, separating himself from the field with a 64 in round three, taking a four-stroke lead at 17-under into Championship Sunday, his first 54-hole lead. He finished at 20-under 260 (66-64-63-67) for a new tournament course record.
Lee entered the third round trailing Scheffer by one stroke but held a four-stroke lead entering Sunday after a career-low 7-under 63 on Saturday.
Lee, who resides in Las Vegas, Nev., was presented with the Texas Children’s Houston Open trophy on the 18th green by Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane, his wife, Whitney Crane, and son James Crane. Dr. Debra Sukin, President & CEO of the title sponsor, Texas Children’s, and her husband, Dr. Steven Sukin and Texas Children’s patients were alongside to present Lee with his first trophy.
“First, I’d like to congratulate Min Woo Lee on his victory today,” said Jim Crane. This was four incredible days of golf from an incredibly strong field. Min Woo separated himself with a record-setting performance while holding off some of the most elite golfers down the stretch today. Secondly, I want to thank all the golfers who came to compete this week. Our goal is always to make this a premier tournament that all Tour golfers choose to compete in.
“Finally, I want to thank the Houston community and our great fans who came out to support the Astros Golf Foundation, Texas Children’s, and this tournament. Our ability to continue to give back to this community is due to the continued support of our fans and our partners.”
“Congratulations to Min Woo Lee, our 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open Champion.” Giles Kibbe, President of the Astros Golf Foundation said. “Thank you to the PGA TOUR, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, our Astros staff and all the volunteers for making this year’s tournament such an incredible success. This tournament is an important tradition in Houston. We are thrilled to continue to showcase our great city through the game of golf.”
“Texas Children’s is incredibly honored to serve as title sponsor of the Texas Children’s Houston, a premier event that’s made a profound impact on the Houston community,” said Debra F. Sukin, Ph.D., President and CEO of Texas Children’s. “Congratulations to Jim Crane and the entire Astros Golf Foundation on not only bringing a world class event to our city – but demonstrating the power of sports in rallying an entire community around a greater cause.
“At Texas Children’s our team rallies around the greatest cause of solving the unsolvable each and every day. On behalf of our dedicated clinicians, researchers and team members – thank you for the opportunity to highlight our stories of hope to children, women and families across the globe this week. To the fans, the City of Houston and the world-class golfers who made this week so special — thank you. And a huge congratulations to Min Woo Lee on an outstanding victory!”
For the second-straight year, world No. 1 Scheffler finished second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. Scheffler and Gary Woodland both finished tied for second at 19-under 261.
The course round record low of 62 was tied three times this week. First, Scheffler tied the record in round two, the third time in his career he has shot a 62 at Memorial Park Golf Course. Woodland and Sami Valimaki both shot 62 in Sunday’s fourth round to make it close down the stretch.
The reigning 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open champion, Stephan Jaeger, finished tied for 11th at 12-under 268. The champion in 2022, Tony Finau, finished tied for 32nd at 8-under 272.