Min Woo Lee Fires Bogey-Free 62 to Lead Tour Championship by Two Strokes

Min Woo Lee matched his career-low round with an 8-under 62 on Thursday to secure a two-shot lead at the Tour Championship.

Min Woo Lee opened the Tour Championship at East Lake with a bogey-free 8-under-par 62 on Thursday, securing a two-stroke lead over his nearest competitors. The 26-year-old Australian matched his career low on the PGA Tour, a mark he previously set during the opening round of The American Express at the Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West. Lee capped his round in Atlanta by recording a birdie on the par-5 18th hole, moving him clear of Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, and Chris Gotterup, who all sit in a tie for second place.

The scoring average for the 29-player field settled at 66.7 as every participant finished at even par or better. Conditions at the rain-softened course were influenced by precipitation that fell approximately one hour before the first tee time. Lee capitalized on the receptive greens by converting four of his eight birdies from distances exceeding 10 feet. This performance follows a period where Lee described his play as average, noting that the previous two weeks were among the saddest he had experienced on a golf course.

Equipment Changes and FedEx Cup Stakes

A technical adjustment contributed to Lee’s success on Thursday as he switched to a slightly heavier shaft in his irons. His coach suggested the change after observing that Lee was swinging faster than usual, and the increased weight helped regulate his tempo. Lee entered the season finale as one of the top 30 players in the standings, a position solidified by two runner-up finishes earlier this year at Pebble Beach and the Scottish Open. The field is competing for a $10 million prize and a five-year PGA Tour exemption.

Lee is one of two players among the top eight on the leaderboard—alongside Ludvig Åberg—who has yet to win a tournament this season. Åberg is part of a group that shot 65 or better during the opening round. Tommy Fleetwood, the defending FedEx Cup champion, began his title defense with a 66. Fleetwood notably won the championship last year despite not recording a victory until the final event of the season.

Leaderboard Pursuers and Notable Scores

Wyndham Clark, the recent BMW Championship winner, finished his round at 3-under 67 after birdying two of his final three holes. A large contingent of players sits at 2-under 68, including British Open champion Ryan Fox, Adam Scott, and Gary Woodland. For Woodland, this appearance marks his first trip to the Tour Championship since 2019. Rory McIlroy, the only golfer to win the FedEx Cup three times, also opened with a 68 to remain six shots off the lead.

Russell Henley, a Macon native, produced a unique scorecard by recording 18 consecutive pars for an even-par 70. The field remains compact due to the low-scoring conditions provided by the Atlanta weather. Lee’s 62 stands as the benchmark for a tournament that offers significant long-term security for those finishing inside the top 30. The 8-under performance ensures he remains the man to beat heading into Friday at the final event of the FedEx Cup season.