Lee Fires Career-Tying 62 to Lead Tour Championship Field

Min Woo Lee opened the Tour Championship with a flawless round Thursday, carding an 8-under 62 without a bogey on the rain-softened East Lake Golf Club course. The score matched his career best on the PGA Tour, achieved earlier this season at The American Express in California, and gave him a two-shot advantage heading into Friday’s second round.

Lee’s breakthrough performance came after a frustrating stretch that saw him record runner-up finishes at both Pebble Beach and the Scottish Open this year. The Australian acknowledged his recent struggles despite earning a berth in the 30-player field competing for the $10 million FedEx Cup prize and associated five-year tour exemption. “We’re really lucky to be out here and play some good golf to get into the playoffs,” Lee said of his opportunity.

Trailing Lee by two shots are Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup, who combined for three of the four best opening rounds. Scottie Scheffler, who ranked first in FedEx Cup standings heading into the event, managed a 65 despite battling residual effects from hand, foot, and mouth disease contracted the previous week that left him with blisters and throat irritation.

Favorable scoring conditions dominated the opening round as rain an hour before tee time softened greens considerably, allowing all 29 competitors in the field to finish at even par or better. The course played to 66.7 under the wet conditions, proving significantly more receptive than typically expected. BMW Championship winner Wyndham Clark posted a 67, while major champions Ryan Fox and Gary Woodland each shot 68.

J.J. Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open champion, withdrew after playing five holes due to a right shoulder injury he said made competitive play inadvisable at the championship level.