Lee Hodges won the 3M Open at TPC Twin Lakes in Minnesota, his first PGA Tour victory, with a perfect score. Unbelievably, he triumphed by seven shots with a final-round score of 67 to finish the tournament at 24-under par.
He was unassailable throughout the entire week. From his initial round of 63, Hodges maintained a high level of play. The 28-year-old’s performance propelled him up the FedEx Cup playoff standings.
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Hodges was ecstatic following the victory.
“This week has been a fantasy. Hodges stated on CBS to Amanda Renner, “I have the best caddie in the world and the best wife in the world.” “Mom and Dad, I regret that you were not present; I wish you were. I have the finest, everyone. I mean, I have the greatest team in the world, and they work so hard that I couldn’t accomplish anything without them.”
Hodges went from attempting to play his way into the semifinals to participating in the first two tournaments. He advanced 41 positions, from No. 74 to No. 33. Hodges just changed his career path in four days, which is a feat in itself.
A former Alabama golfer completely dominated this competition. He finished the week with only five bogeys, led the field with 25 birdies, and was first in total strokes gained, approach to green, and tee to green. In addition, he ranked fourth in strokes gained in putting.
Sunday was all about reaching the finish line with ease.
He shot Eagles on the par-5 sixth and par-5 twelfth holes. On the final four holes, he shot bogey, birdie, bogey, and birdie. However, it was insufficient for anyone to get too close.
J.T. Poston challenged him, bringing the deficit to three with one remaining. However, a water ball and a triple bogie on the 18th dropped him to 17-under par. Together with Martin Laird and Kevin Streelman, he completed T2.
