Texas Children’s Houston Open – Min Woo Lee Wins First PGA Tour Title

Min Woo Lee claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing at 20-under par over four rounds at Memorial Park Golf Course. The Australian golfer carded rounds of 66, 64, 63, and 63 to finish one stroke ahead of a star-studded leaderboard that included Gary Woodland and Scottie Scheffler tied for second at 19-under. The tournament carried a $9.5 million purse, with Lee earning $1.71 million for his breakthrough win.

The event, held March 27-30 in Houston, Texas, marked one of the PGA Tour’s flagship spring tournaments and the sole Texas stop on the annual schedule. Memorial Park Golf Course, a public facility that underwent a significant renovation ahead of the 2020 event, provided a challenging test that rewarded precise shot-making throughout the week.

What Is the Texas Children’s Houston Open?

The Texas Children’s Houston Open stands as the PGA Tour’s only annual tournament held in the state of Texas. Originally established in 1946, the event has evolved through various venues and sponsorships before landing at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. The partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital as title sponsor began in 2022, combining professional golf with charitable initiatives that support pediatric healthcare across the region.

The tournament attracts a competitive field each year, with players drawn to both the substantial prize money and the opportunity to compete at a venue that has gained recognition for its demanding layout. The event typically operates with approximately 144 players in the field, with the traditional cut keeping the top 65 competitors and ties after the second round.

• Houston’s only PGA Tour event, dating back to 1946
• Memorial Park Golf Course underwent major redesign by architect Tom Doak ahead of the 2020 tournament
• Texas Children’s Hospital partnership combines sports with pediatric healthcare initiatives
• Field typically features a mix of established stars and rising professionals
• Weather conditions in late March often present challenges, with wind and variable temperatures common
• Public access to the course allows fans to experience the venue firsthand

When and Where Is the 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open?

The 2025 edition took place Thursday through Sunday, March 27-30, at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. This timing places the tournament within the PGA Tour’s spring schedule, typically falling between major championships and offering players a competitive opportunity ahead of the summer stretch.

Venue Details

Memorial Park Golf Course serves as the tournament’s home, representing one of the most significant public golf facilities in the United States. The course measures 7,475 yards and plays to a par of 70, providing a test that demands both distance and accuracy from competitors.

The redesign completed before the 2020 event, led by architect Tom Doak in collaboration with the City of Houston, transformed the municipal layout into a course worthy of professional competition. The renovation elevated green complexes, added strategic bunkering, and created variety that challenges players throughout their rounds. Brooks Koepka finished tied for fifth in that inaugural year at Memorial Park, signaling the venue’s ability to test the world’s best players.

Schedule Overview

Each tournament day follows a structured schedule with morning and afternoon waves allowing groups to complete their rounds. Official practice rounds typically occur Monday through Wednesday, with the competitive tournament beginning Thursday morning. Round highlights are regularly posted to platforms like YouTube, extending reach beyond those attending in person.

How to Get Tickets for the Houston Open

Attendees interested in experiencing the tournament can obtain information through the official tournament website, which manages ticket sales and provides details about available options. General access tickets typically cover grounds admission, allowing fans to walk the course and observe play from multiple vantage points throughout Memorial Park.

For those seeking enhanced experiences, various hospitality packages offer upgraded viewing areas, food and beverage service, and additional amenities. These options tend to sell quickly, particularly for weekend rounds when demand peaks alongside the leaderboard tension.

The public nature of Memorial Park Golf Course means the tournament maintains an accessible atmosphere distinct from private club venues. Families and groups of all sizes can enjoy the event, with children often welcome at reduced rates or free admission depending on age and ticket category.

Recent Results and Past Winners

Min Woo Lee’s victory in 2025 marked his breakthrough on the PGA Tour, with the Australian converting strong positioning through the opening rounds into a commanding lead that he maintained over the final day. His total of 260 strokes represented the lowest winning score in the tournament’s recent Memorial Park era.

The runner-up position featured two notable names, with Gary Woodland and Scottie Scheffler both finishing at 19-under par. Woodland, a former U.S. Open champion, would later capture the 2026 edition of the tournament with a record-setting performance of 21-under par, his first PGA Tour victory since his 2019 major championship win. Scheffler, a multiple-time PGA Tour winner, continued his consistent high-level play that has defined his career.

Additional players secured finishes that earned substantial payouts, with those finishing around the tie for 15th position earning approximately $163,875. The professional caliber of the leaderboard reflected the tournament’s standing within the PGA Tour schedule, attracting players capable of producing low scores on a demanding venue.

Memorial Park Golf Course Guide

Memorial Park Golf Course represents a unique intersection of public accessibility and professional-grade challenge. Located within Houston’s Memorial Park system, the course spans a significant footprint that accommodates both the tournament infrastructure and regular daily play for Houston-area residents.

Course Design and Layout

The Tom Doak redesign completed in 2020 fundamentally altered the facility’s character, transforming what had been a straightforward municipal layout into a course that demands strategic thinking throughout each hole. The renovation added nearly 500 yards to the course’s length, elevated green complexes, and introduced creative bunker placement that rewards accurate approach shots.

The par-70 routing features four par-5 holes accessible to longer hitters but presenting risk-reward decisions that can alter scoring dynamics. The par-3 holes vary significantly in length and design, testing every club in players’ bags while providing memorable viewing opportunities for spectators positioned near the greens.

Playing Conditions

Houston’s climate in late March typically produces firm, fast conditions that reward precise ball-striking. Turf conditions at Memorial Park are consistently excellent during tournament week, with grounds crews maintaining surfaces to professional standards. The layout’s exposure to weather patterns means wind direction and strength can dramatically affect scoring, particularly during afternoon rounds when conditions may deteriorate.

Fans attending the tournament benefit from the course’s design, which provides natural viewing areas throughout the property. Multiple grandstands position spectators near key holes, while the ability to walk alongside competitors on most holes creates an intimate experience uncommon at many professional events.

Tournament History and Timeline

The Houston Open traces its origins to 1946, establishing itself as one of golf’s longer-running professional events. The tournament’s journey through various venues and sponsorships reflects both the growth of professional golf and Houston’s development as a sports destination.

1. 1946: First Houston Open contested, establishing the tournament’s foundation
2. 2020: Tournament moves to Memorial Park Golf Course; Tom Doak redesign debuts
3. 2022: Texas Children’s Hospital becomes title sponsor, launching the Texas Children’s Houston Open
4. 2024: Stephan Jaeger claims victory in the most recent edition prior to 2025
5. 2025: Min Woo Lee wins first PGA Tour title at 20-under par
6. 2026: Gary Woodland wins with tournament record 21-under par, his first PGA Tour win since 2019 U.S. Open

The transition to Memorial Park marked a new chapter for the event, with the renovated public course proving capable of hosting professional competition while maintaining accessibility for Houston’s golfing community. The Texas Children’s partnership has further solidified the tournament’s position within the local sporting landscape.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain

Economic and Community Impact

The Texas Children’s Houston Open generates significant economic activity for the Houston area, drawing visitors who require accommodations, dining, and entertainment beyond the tournament itself. Hotels throughout the city benefit from increased occupancy during the tournament week, while local restaurants and attractions see elevated traffic from out-of-town attendees.

The partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital extends the tournament’s influence beyond sports, with charitable initiatives and community programs supported by the event. Pediatric healthcare awareness receives elevated visibility during tournament week, connecting the sporting occasion with meaningful causes that resonate with the Houston community.

Memorial Park itself benefits from the tournament’s presence, with infrastructure improvements and maintenance standards that enhance conditions for daily public play. The City of Houston’s investment in the facility, particularly the Doak redesign, positioned the course for hosting professional competition while serving as a valuable public resource throughout the year.

How to Follow Tournament Updates

Real-time leaderboard information and tournament updates are available through multiple platforms, including PGA Tour’s official website, ESPN, CBS Sports, and USA Today sports coverage. These sources provide score tracking, player statistics, and news updates throughout the tournament week.

Social media channels associated with the tournament and PGA Tour offer behind-the-scenes content, player interviews, and highlights that complement the official coverage. Round highlights posted to video platforms extend accessibility beyond traditional broadcast windows.

For those unable to attend in person, comprehensive television coverage on NBC, Golf Channel, and streaming platforms including ESPN+ and Peacock ensures fans can follow the action throughout each round. Multi-platform availability accommodates varying viewing preferences and schedules.

The combination of a challenging venue, competitive field, and accessible location makes the Texas Children’s Houston Open a distinctive stop on the PGA Tour calendar.

Summary

The 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open delivered a memorable conclusion as Min Woo Lee captured his first PGA Tour victory with a commanding performance at Memorial Park Golf Course. The $9.5 million tournament attracted a strong field that included major champions and rising professionals, with scoring reflecting both the course’s demands and the quality of competition throughout the week.

The event continues to occupy a unique position within professional golf, offering Houston and the surrounding region access to world-class competition at an accessible public venue. The partnership between the tournament and Texas Children’s Hospital reinforces the event’s community significance beyond sporting achievement.

For comprehensive coverage and continued updates, fans can explore additional tournament analysis and results through dedicated sports coverage platforms. The 2026 edition promises to build upon this foundation with an already impressive player field and continued evolution of the Memorial Park experience.

Frequently Asked Questions