It was a long-awaited PGA TOUR breakthrough for Min Woo Lee and the end to a 23-year drought for Steve Allan in a magnificent weekend for Australian golf in the US.
The 36-hole leader at THE PLAYERS Championship three weeks ago and a two-time runner-up last season, Lee’s status as a PGA TOUR winner was always a matter of when, not if.
That time is now after he produced two nerveless up-and-downs on the final two holes to complete a one-stroke victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
A four-stroke leader at the start of the final day, Lee (67) held off charges from major winners Scottie Scheffler (63) and Gary Woodland (62) for his first win on US soil as a professional.
“Winning a tournament was one of those goals and I’m happy to check that off,” said Lee.
“It was tough. I mean, props to the guys that win week in, week out. I mean, it is very hard even though a four-shot lead is not safe, it is tough.
“Just so proud. Let’s keep doing it.”
The 2002 Australian Open champion, Allan has had to wait more than two decades to re-enter the winner’s circle.
Only a late admission into the field for the Galleri Classic when Steve Stricker withdrew on Monday, Allan took advantage in the best way possible.
Buoyed by a swing tip on the range from close friend Cameron Percy, a superb outward nine of 5-under 31 put Allan in prime position, an even-par back nine enough to close out a round of 5-under 67 and a one-stroke win from American Tag Ridings (67).
“I won the Australian Open in 2002 and it was my second year, four years after my first win,” Allan recalled.
“I told my girlfriend, now my wife, ‘It won’t be four years until I win again.’ Unfortunately, it’s been 23 years.
“It’s a big relief to get a win. I was close on the PGA TOUR a couple of times. Didn’t get over the line.
“Once it was completely my fault. The other time Kenny Perry had a hot finish and I didn’t.
“It was really good to hang in there and finish it off.”
Results
PGA TOUR
Texas Children’s Houston Open
Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
1 Min Woo Lee 66-64-63-67—260 $US1.71m
T15 Ryan Fox (NZ) 68-65-65-71—269 $163,875
T27 Jason Day 70-66-69-66—271 $67,925
MC Karl Vilips 68-73—141
MC Aaron Baddeley 70-74—144
PGA TOUR Champions
The Galleri Classic
Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California
1 Steve Allan 69-65-67—201 $US330,000
T3 Steven Alker (NZ) 71-65-67—203 $131,867
6 Cameron Percy 67-69-68—204 $88,000
T7 Stuart Appleby 70-71-64—205 $70,400
T7 Richard Green 68-72-65—205 $70,400
T15 Mark Hensby 71-69-68—208 $36,300
T29 David Bransdon 72-69-70—211 $15,934
T36 Rod Pampling 71-72-69—212 $12,144
T51 Greg Chalmers 73-72-70—215 $5,940
T54 Scott Barr 73-73-70—216 $4,510
T66 Brendan Jones 74-72-73—219 $2,253
STORY: TONY WEBECK | GOLF AUSTRALIA/PGA AUSTRALIA