Lee Hodges finished seven shots clear of JT Poston, Kevin Streelman and Martin Laird to win the 3M Open in Minnesota; It was Hodges' first PGA Tour title victory and he took it in commanding fashion, leading through every round
Monday 31 July 2023 06:39, UK
Lee Hodges won his first PGA Tour title with a wire-to-wire victory in the 3M Open in Minnesota.
Hodges took a five-shot lead into the final round and carded two eagles in a closing 67 at TPC Twin Cities to finish 24 under par, seven strokes clear of compatriots JT Poston and Kevin Streelman and Scotland's Martin Laird.
"Elated. It's just a dream week, the whole thing," Hodges said.
Poston was three shots behind Hodges playing the par-five 18th, but went for the green in two and hit his second shot into the water in front of the green to run up a costly triple-bogey eight.
Hodges did not make an eagle over his first three rounds, but he had no trouble scoring on two of TPC Twin Cities' par-five holes on Sunday.
He sank an 11-foot putt for eagle at No 6, then stuck his second shot at No 12 inside three feet for an easy follow-up eagle.
Hodges was asked if he started to think about lifting the trophy when he made that eagle.
"I'd say the first time I actually let myself think about winning was after I hit the third shot on 18," he said. "Other than that, I was just completely focused on what I was doing out there, which is probably why I played some nice golf.
"Probably should try and do that more."
Hodges, 28, earned his first career PGA Tour victory and is projected to jump from No 74 in the FedEx Cup points standings to No 33, which would make him eligible for the first leg of the playoffs later this month.
"I think we're as ready as we can be," Hodges said. "I'm playing some really good golf. I'm excited to have the opportunity to do some special things in the playoffs now.
"Anytime you win, you really set yourself up for some special stuff."
Laird surged through the field with a closing 64 to record his first top 10 finish since the Barracuda Championship just over a year ago.
"This year's been a struggle," Laird said.
"I started the season with an injury. You can kind of get yourself in a hole when you do that and my swing kind of changed because of it.
"In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have played the first couple months of the season, but I did. I've kind of been trying to get my game back from there, because I finished last season pretty strongly.
"It's been a battle. In this game when you're struggling it seems like a long way to get back to where you know you can be. So I'm obviously very happy with this week."
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