"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down wins by Min Woo Lee and Hyo Joo Kim.
Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA TOUR Victory at Houston Open
Min Woo Lee's infectious smile finally gave way to tears Sunday afternoon at Memorial Park. After years of knocking on the door, the charismatic Aussie secured his first PGA TOUR title at the Texas Children's Houston Open, fending off a red-hot Scottie Scheffler and a resurgent Gary Woodland to win by the slimmest of margins.
Five shots ahead with seven holes to play, Lee's cushion evaporated faster than morning dew in the Texas heat. But when it mattered most, the 26-year-old showed the mettle that his sister Minjee – a two-time major champion – has displayed throughout her stellar career.
The Aussie was ripe with emotion after posting 20-under 260, demolishing the tournament record by four shots.
Sunday Drama Unfolds
What should've been a victory lap turned sideways when Lee's tee shot on the par-5 16th – a hole he'd been feasting on all week – splashed into the water hazard guarding the left side of the fairway. The miscue snapped his remarkable 41-hole bogey-free streak and shrunk his lead to just one with two to play.
The Memorial Park gallery, which had been pulling for Texas native Scheffler all day, sensed the potential collapse. But Lee, known for his happy-go-lucky demeanor, dug deep.
"It's hard — it's really hard," Lee said, still catching his breath during the greenside interview.
"Obviously, Scottie is a wonderful golfer, and he keeps you on your toes. First time being in front, I'm glad I got it done. I'm very exhausted. It was a lot of mental grind. I'm so proud of how I handled myself."
The signature moment arrived on the 18th green. After missing the fairway left and then barely getting his approach to the back fringe, Lee faced a treacherous 55-footer with the tournament hanging in the balance. His lag putt – "the best of my life, no doubt" – trickled to within inches, setting off an emotional celebration before he'd even tapped in.
As the ball approached the cup, Lee bent over repeatedly, clutching his fists. The weight of 72 pressure-packed holes finally lifted from his shoulders.
Scheffler, Woodland Push Lee to the Limit
While Lee battled his nerves, the world's top-ranked player was busy posting a casual 63. Scheffler, tuning up for his Masters defense next week, went on a back-nine tear with four consecutive birdies that had the scoreboard operators scrambling to keep up.
He ultimately finished at 19-under, watching stoically from the scoring area as Lee secured the victory.
"Just trying to put as much pressure on Min Woo as I could," Scheffler said afterward. "Was hoping to light it up on the front nine but couldn't quite get the putts to drop early. He played some really solid golf. Kid earned it today."
Not to be outdone, Woodland – playing with a newfound perspective after brain surgery just six months ago – matched the Memorial Park course record with a blistering 62. The 2019 U.S. Open champion played his final four holes in 4-under par, including a clutch birdie at 18 that briefly tied him for the lead.
Augusta Awaits
While the Houston drama unfolded, several Masters subplots simmered beneath the surface. Rory McIlroy, still chasing that elusive green jacket to complete his career Grand Slam, posted a final-round 64 despite uncharacteristic bogeys to start and finish his day. He heads to Augusta with momentum and the familiar weight of expectations.
Meanwhile, Michael Kim and Ben Griffin waged their own private battle for crucial world ranking points. Early projections suggest Kim squeezed past Griffin for the coveted 50th spot in the Official World Golf Ranking – the last ticket to a Masters invitation – by decimal points that might as well have been measured with a micrometer.
For Lee, who locked up his Masters berth months ago by finishing 2024 inside the top 50, Sunday's breakthrough adds a missing piece to an already impressive resume. His victory lap will now include the remaining $20 million Signature Events this season, putting him in golf's most exclusive fields as the TOUR's fifth first-time winner this year.
As darkness fell over Memorial Park, Lee still hadn't stopped smiling. The kid who once lived in his sister's shadow had finally stepped into the spotlight on his own terms.
LPGA Roundup: Kim Storms Back to Win Thriller at Ford Championship
Under the Arizona sun, the 2025 Ford Championship turned into an old-fashioned desert shootout Sunday, with Hyo Joo Kim erasing a five-shot deficit to snatch her seventh LPGA victory in heart-stopping fashion.
Kim, who began the day well behind overnight leader Lilia Vu, caught fire with an 8-under 64 at Whirlwind Golf Club outside Phoenix – easily Sunday's best round – before winning with a decisive birdie on the first playoff hole.
Kim's putter was like a magic wand on Sunday as she rolled in nine birdies against a lone bogey on 12, including crucial back-to-back circles on her card at 16 and 17 that ultimately forced extra holes. Meanwhile, Vu showed remarkable grit herself, draining a nerve-wracking 7-footer for par on the 72nd hole to force the playoff.
As shadows lengthened across Whirlwind's finishing hole, both players returned to the 18th tee for the sudden-death playoff. After solid approaches, Kim faced about 5 feet for birdie while Vu had a trickier 20-footer. When Vu's putt slid low, Kim stepped up and buried the winner with the confidence that had carried her all afternoon.
She typically keeps emotions in check, but Kim couldn't help a rare fist pump as the gallery erupted.
The victory was worth $337,500 from the tournament's $2.5 million purse and earned Kim 500 points in the season-long Race to CME Globe standings. It also continued a remarkable trend of parity on tour, with Kim becoming the sixth different champion in six LPGA events this season.
Allisen Corpuz, the 2023 U.S. Women's Open champ, made her own Sunday charge with a 7-under 65, finishing alone in third at 21-under – agonizingly one shot shy of the playoff. Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul claimed fourth at 20-under after a closing 66.
Not everyone found desert success, though. World #1 Nelly Korda never found her typical form, finishing tied for 22nd at 14-under. Fan favorite Lexi Thompson ended up tied for 38th at 11-under.
The tour now heads to Vegas for next week's T-Mobile Match Play, where the format switches from stroke play to head-to-head battles. However, for Kim, the immediate future involves celebration and some reflection on a comeback that ranks among 2025's most impressive.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
