Around the links: Texas Children's Houston Open recap

The countdown to The Masters begins now, as the year's first major is just under one week away. While that first “Hello friends” from Jim Nantz feels so far away for fans, the golfers are ready to go, with the Texas Children’s Houston Open finishing on Sunday and the Valero Texas Open this weekend.

The stars were out last Thursday at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, with Min Woo Lee, Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Rory McIlroy and more all teeing it up at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in hopes of a win or glimpses of greatness before Augusta.

After day one of the tournament, none of those stars led the pack, as Keith Mitchell, Alejandro Tosti and Taylor Pendrith all tied for the lead at 5-under. There are, however, three things guaranteed in life: death, taxes and Scheffler in contention.

The world’s No. 1 golfer, according to the Official World Golf Ranking, was just two shots back of the lead heading into day two. Then, Scheffler decided Friday was the right time to tie his own course record, firing a 62 to put him at 11-under after just two rounds.

Right behind him was young superstar Min Woo Lee, who, after two days, was just one shot behind Scheffler at 10-under. Saturday was when Lee would truly shine, chipping in to take the lead from Scheffler and finishing the day with a four-shot lead after posting a 7-under-par 63.

Despite playing in two different tee times, Lee and Scheffler went to war on championship Sunday. Both golfers netted two birdies on the front nine to finish with a 33.

Then, Scheffler opened the back nine with a birdie, cutting Lee’s lead to three. Lee then added to his lead by getting birdies on the 12th and 13th holes to increase his lead back to four, but a Scheffler birdie on the 13th kept it there, rather than giving Lee a five-shot lead.

Scheffler stayed hot, firing three more consecutive birdies after the 13th. Lee also bogeyed the 16th, putting Scheffler within one with only two holes to play.

Both golfers would end up with pars on the 17th hole, meaning Scheffler had to birdie the 18th to tie it. Scheffler finished the hole with a par, so all he could do was watch from the clubhouse as Lee finished the final hole.

With just a six-inch putt left for par, Lee decided to have some fun and practiced his AimPoint to line up the putt, and he sank the winning putt to give him his first career win on the PGA Tour.

Clark and McIlroy also finished in the top five, showing that they, along with Lee and Scheffler, are ready for The Masters. The final tournament on the road to The Masters, the Valero Texas Open, kicked off on Thursday, giving golfers one last chance to get firing on all cylinders.

After the first round, Mitchell found himself in the top five of a Texas tournament yet again, finishing in second. Jordan Spieth also found his way to the top five, tying with Carson Young for fourth place at 5-under.

As the tournament currently stands on day two, Mitchell is in second place again, two shots behind the leader and 2023 British Open winner Brian Harman. Spieth dropped 13 spots to finish the day at 17th after shooting 1-over.

Other notable golfers include Rickie Fowler, Patrick Cantlay, Keegan Bradley, Cam Young and more. The Valero Texas Open concludes on Sunday, with practice rounds at Augusta National beginning on Monday.

Dylan Sechrist is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dks5749@psu.edu.