Min Woo Lee leads the TOUR Championship at East Lake after shooting an 8-under 62 in Round 1, relying on an intentional shift to prioritize accuracy over his trademark distance by slowing his clubhead speed, according to reporting by Paul Hodowanic on the PGA TOUR platform.
Min Woo Lee Claims Round 1 Lead at East Lake After Slowing Swing Speed
Min Woo Lee opened the TOUR Championship at East Lake in Atlanta with an 8-under 62 to take the first-round lead, according to the PGA TOUR. Known primarily for his power and flashy social media presence, Lee struggled earlier in the season at majors and Signature Events, missing three of four cuts at majors in 2025 and finishing inside the top 40 just once in Signature Event fields, as reported by the PGA TOUR.
To correct those struggles, Lee intentionally slowed his swing to gain control. While his clubhead speed still ranks 12th on TOUR this season, that metric is down from fifth in each of the previous two years, according to PGA TOUR data.
For me, I felt like I went backward, which wasn’t, I guess, the right way. These young kids are hitting it long and pretty straight. You’ve just got to hit it straight at Signature Events."
The adjustment yielded immediate results earlier in the year, including a runner-up finish at Pebble Beach, a tie for 12th at Riviera, and a tie for sixth at Bay Hill. During his opening round at East Lake, Lee hit 11 fairways and debuted heavier iron shafts to help manage his control.
U.S. Team Hopefuls Chase Captain’s Picks at East Lake
Roughly a third of the 30-man field at the TOUR Championship is competing for six remaining U.S. Team captain’s picks for the upcoming Presidents Cup under captain Brandt Snedeker, according to the PGA TOUR. Of the 15 Americans in the field, six auto-qualified, leaving nine players vying for consideration before Snedeker announces his selections, as reported by the PGA TOUR.
J.J. Spaun suffered a setback during the opening round, withdrawing after six holes due to a shoulder injury that puts his availability for Medinah in doubt, according to the PGA TOUR. Spaun began the week 10th on the points list.
"I woke up Tuesday morning with like a little sharp pain in my right shoulder blade.”
Other contenders outside the top 12 made strong opening moves. Akshay Bhatia and Ryan Gerard both shot 5-under 65, according to the PGA TOUR. Patrick Cantlay, an incumbent from last year’s Ryder Cup team who finished runner-up a week prior, shot a 2-under 68, matching Jacob Bridgeman, who leads the PGA TOUR in putting this season, as reported by the PGA TOUR.
International Contenders and Title Chasers Open Strong
International players mounted a strong showing in the opening round at East Lake, according to the PGA TOUR. Alongside Lee’s leading 62, Ryan Fox and Adam Scott carded dueling 66s, while Tom Kim shot a 3-under 67, as reported by the PGA TOUR.
In the race for Player of the Year, Scottie Scheffler posted a 5-under round, while Wyndham Clark finished at 3-under, according to the PGA TOUR. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy opened with a mixed performance, leading the field in driving and ranking fourth in approach play while struggling on and around the greens, as reported by the PGA TOUR.
Did You Know?
Pro Tip: Track the Bubble When evaluating U.S. Team captain’s picks late in the FedExCup Playoffs, pay close attention to first-round momentum. Players who start slow at East Lake often face mounting pressure from captain Brandt Snedeker ahead of his final roster announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the TOUR Championship after Round 1?
Min Woo Lee leads the TOUR Championship after carding an 8-under 62 in the opening round at East Lake, according to the PGA TOUR.
Why did J.J. Spaun withdraw from the tournament?
J.J. Spaun withdrew after six holes in the opening round due to a persistent sharp pain in his right shoulder blade, according to the PGA TOUR.
How many U.S. Team captain’s picks are available for the Presidents Cup?
Captain Brandt Snedeker has six captain’s picks to finalize the U.S. Team roster, with nine eligible Americans in the East Lake field competing for those spots, according to the PGA TOUR.
What equipment change did Min Woo Lee make at East Lake?
Min Woo Lee debuted heavier shafts in his irons at East Lake to help slow down his swing and improve ball control, according to the PGA TOUR.
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