Min Woo Lee provided the strongest evidence yet as to why he is considered a potential superstar on the PGA Tour after winning the Texas Children’s Houston Open in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
Min Woo Lee has won on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career. The Australian held his nerve on the 72nd hole to make the par which kept him ahead of both Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland at Memorial Park.
It is a breakout moment for one of the most popular players on tour. Lee had been one of the most exciting names to watch outside of the signature events in 2024. But it cannot be overstated just how important getting that victory will be.
And it seems that it may have helped vindicate one decision which attracted a lot of controversy earlier in the year.
Controversial Jordan Spieth decision vindicated as Min Woo Lee wins the Texas Children’s Houston Open
It seems a long time ago now, but the talking points in the early stages of the Florida swing on the PGA Tour were dominated by discussions surrounding Jordan Spieth after he missed out on an invite to the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Spieth himself, hit out at the decision. And it did seem that many felt that the decision not to invite Spieth was a big mistake given the impact he has on television ratings.
However, speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Rex Hoggard noted that the decision looks a lot more understandable given that the PGA Tour’s latest winner was one of those who did get an invite to Bay Hill.
“I think Min Woo Lee has the quality to ascend to superstar status. He has a long way to go with his play but when you look at his personality and what he does on social media, there is a lot of reasons to like him. I do remember going back just a few weeks ago when Jordan Spieth did not get a sponsors invitation into the Arnold Palmer Invitational and because he did not get one, in no small amount, Min Woo Lee got one,” he said.
“Going back I think you could make the argument that not only was Min Woo Lee playing better than your beloved Jordan Spieth, but maybe they see something in him that others do not at that point.”
A much-needed potential superstar for the PGA Tour
Lee is definitely one of the players who attracts fans like few others. He has obviously done a lot of work on social media to build his following, but he also has a fearless playing style that viewers are drawn to.
However, at some stage, that potential does need to be turned into success. And unfortunately, Lee had not been able to capitalise on his momentum on the PGA Tour. Few will forget how he sat out most of the Presidents Cup last year after looking to be a perfect foil for Adam Scott at Royal Montreal.
But following his win on Sunday, Ryan Lavner insisted that there is reason to think that there is an extremely high ceiling above Lee.
“You don’t want to compare anyone to Bryson because Bryson I think is a genius in marketing himself to a crowd. He understands social media. He understands YouTube and how to connect with a younger audience. Min Woo Lee does that on a much smaller scale,” he said.
“There is a certain showmanship with him. I thought doing aimpoint on his two inch tap in to win the golf tournament was genius and just sort of a window that now he has crossed the line, now he is going to be in signature events and have a bigger platform, now that he is going to be secure and has a confidence in his game that can translate to more and more PGA Tour victories, I think we are going to start to see more of the personality that Min Woo Lee has and I love that potential for him.”
It arguably said a lot that Spieth’s return this year looked set to be such a huge boost for the PGA Tour. It showed the problems the tour has had building stars in recent years, with Spieth not winning since 2022.
Lee is obviously still some way off reaching the kind of popularity that Spieth has. But it definitely appears that he has got a better chance than most of getting there.
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