Min Woo Lee fires career-low 62 to lead Tour Championship after J.J. Spaun withdraws
PGA, Golf Herren The American Express - First Round Jan 22, 2026 La Quinta, California, USA Min Woo Lee hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of The American Express golf tournament at the Nicklaus Tournament Course. La Quinta Pete Dye Stadium Course California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDenisxPoroyx 20260122_djc_pt6_004
PGA, Golf Herren The American Express - First Round Jan 22, 2026 La Quinta, California, USA Min Woo Lee hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of The American Express golf tournament at the Nicklaus Tournament Course. La Quinta Pete Dye Stadium Course California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDenisxPoroyx 20260122_djc_pt6_004
Australia's Min Woo Lee fired a career-low 62 at East Lake to take the early lead at the Tour Championship. He did it without a playing partner after 2025 U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun withdrew, forcing Lee to adjust his pace of play.
Lee climbed the ranks to lead at the Tour Championship after Spaun withdrew with a shoulder injury. Without a playing partner, the Aussie suddenly had no rush.
"It was more just maintaining speeds and not rushing because I would just catch the group in front and wait,” said Lee. “So I had to just slow down a little bit. It worked out."
Spaun's withdrawal caused Lee to slow down his pace of play for the remaining 12 holes. Surprisingly, that did wonders for the 28-year-old.
February 20, 2026, Pacific Palisades, California, USA: Min Woo Lee chips the ball onto the 10th green during Round 2 of the 2026 Genesis Invitational Golf Tournament on Friday February 20, 2026 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. ARIANA RUIZ/PI Pacific Palisades USA - ZUMAp124 20260220_zaa_p124_071 Copyright: xArianaxRuizx
February 20, 2026, Pacific Palisades, California, USA: Min Woo Lee chips the ball onto the 10th green during Round 2 of the 2026 Genesis Invitational Golf Tournament on Friday February 20, 2026 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. ARIANA RUIZ/PI Pacific Palisades USA - ZUMAp124 20260220_zaa_p124_071 Copyright: xArianaxRuizx
In his competitive East Lake debut, Lee fired a bogey-free eight-under 62, tying his career low. He played the latter 12 holes in six-under.
However, amidst all the hype, Lee made sure to wish his playing partner the best.
"I hope J.J.'s okay, first of all. It's pretty sad to see,” Lee added, as reported by HITC's Antony Martin. “You get all the way out here, and you can't play, and that just sucks for the whole team and obviously yourself.”
Spaun had to withdraw due to a right shoulder injury. As a result, 29 players are now battling out for the FedEx Cup.
Lee’s opening round performance has given him a solo lead at the top. He's in strong contention for the FedEx Cup on his Tour Championship debut.
US' Chris Gotterup, Collin Morikawa and Norway's Viktor Hovland all trail him by two strokes at six-under.
On the other hand, J.J Spaun was left broken by the injury.
JJ Spaun reacts to the injury
JJ Spaun’s PGA Tour season ended heartbreakingly. Coming into the season finale, Spaun experienced a sharp pain in his right shoulder.
“It flared up pretty bad," Spaun said, as per PGA Tour's Paul Hodowanic. “I couldn't move my neck or my head either direction. Took a few sandwich swings yesterday, and it's just basically like a knife in my right shoulder blade."
The American pointed out that the injury arose from a poor sleeping position. As a result, the 36-year-old was unable to complete a backswing past six holes on Thursday.
Spaun had experienced the same injury at the Open last year. The 2025 US Open winner will now assess the issue rather than force his way through.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Rudra Dubey