Lee Hodges fired two eagles at the par-5s 6th and 12th, as well as three birdies and three bogeys for a 67 to reach 24-under and win the 3M Open by seven shots, his first PGA Tour title in his 65th career start at the age of 28 years, 1 month, 16 days.
He is the first wire-to-wire winner in tournament history and first on Tour since J.T. Poston at the 2022 John Deere Classic.
“It’s just a dream week, the whole thing. I mean, I played — honestly, from Monday to Sunday I played really good golf, even in practice rounds. The pro-am I made a bunch of birdies and then I made a bunch of birdies in the tournament with not many bogeys, so it was just one of those weeks.”
With this win Hodges collected 500 points and moves from No. 74 to No. 33 in the FedExCup standings. The top 70 after next week’s Wyndham Championship will advance to the Playoffs.
“I think we’re as ready as we can be. I’m playing some really good golf. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do some special things in the Playoffs now. I mean, anytime you win, you really set yourself up for some special stuff.
“My caddie was telling me on 18, I honestly didn’t even think about it, we get to play Augusta next year. That’s something else. That was probably the coolest thing I heard all day. Yeah, I’m just really thankful.”
Scotland’s Martin Laird, the only non-American in th top-5, closed with a bogey-free 64 featuring an eagle at the par-5 18th to reach 17-under and a share of second place, recording his seventh runner-up on Tour and his best result since winning the 2020 Shriners Children’s Open.
Kevin Streelman’s 66 earned him his sixth runner-up position and 52nd top-10 of his career.
J.T. Poston closed with a double bogey at the 18th and posted a 69 to join them in second place.
