Byungho Lee victorious at 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US
Byungho Lee saved his best for last in the 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US, bringing home the title in an exciting final day of competition at Spanish Oaks Golf Club that came down to the wire before Lee pulled away.
“It means a lot,” Lee said after the win. “I haven’t won in a long time and it’s really good to be back in the winner’s circle.”
The Pepperdine golfer closed with a 6-under 66 on Sunday, turning a share of the lead into a comfortable two-stroke victory at the 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US. Lee finished at 12-under for a total of 272, becoming one of just two players to break into double digits for the tournament — a number that speaks to just how demanding Spanish Oaks played all week.
“Coach and I talked about it,” Lee said when asked about staying mentally and physically strong throughout the week. “All we had to do was be patient and let the results take care of themselves.”
That patience showed up most in his final round, which proved to be the difference. After opening with rounds of 69-68-69 to sit near the top of the leaderboard through three days, Lee turned in a 2-under 34 on the front nine Sunday before catching fire on the back. An eagle on No.11 kicked off a stretch that included a birdie on No. 12, and Lee played his final six holes in even par to close out a 3-under 32 on his second nine and secure the title in commanding fashion.
With the 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US serving as a USGA exemption event, Lee earned a direct exemption into the 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club — a reward that wasn’t lost on him.
“It means a lot again, it’s the U.S. Amateur and it’s one of the biggest tournaments in the country so I am looking forward to it and to see what happens there,” Lee said.
Brooks Simmons of Dallas gave chase all afternoon, carding a 3-under 68 of his own to match Lee shot-for-shot down the stretch and keep the pressure on until the final holes. It wasn’t enough to close the gap. Simmons finished alone in second at 10-under 274, the only other player inside double-digit red figures and a worthy runner-up after a strong week of his own.
Behind him, the leaderboard reshuffled significantly on the back nine of the tournament’s final round. Colby Harwell of San Antonio authored the low round of the week, a 7-under 64, to surge 18 spots into solo third at 8-under 276 — the largest climb among the top five finishers and a Sunday charge that turned heads across the course. Trenton Mierl of Austin wasn’t far behind, posting a final-round 66 of his own to jump 12 spots into fourth at 7-under 277.
A logjam formed at 6-under 278, where four players finished within a shot of fourth place. Austen Christiansen of Houston shot a third-round 66 and held steady with a final 70 to climb into the tie. Andrew Presley of Fort Worth and Spanish Oaks member Daniel Martinez of Austin shot 66 and 71, respectively, on Sunday to join him, while Matthew Comegys of Van Alstyne, who had built his position with a third-round 65, slipped to a final-round 74 but still held on for a share of fifth — a testament to the cushion he’d built earlier in the week.
Jake Lile of The Woodlands climbed five spots Sunday with a 3-under 69 to finish alone in ninth at 5-under 279, while Austin Randall of Prosper and Alex Huang of Plano tied for 10th at 4-under 280, with Randall closing in style — a final-round 1-under 71 — while Huang’s even-par 72 was enough to hold his position and secure his place among the week’s top finishers.
The Texas Golf Association would like to thank Spanish Oaks Golf Club ownership, staff and membership for their generosity and hospitality in hosting the 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US.
The official yardage of the final round was 7,021 yards.
The toughest hole for the final round was No. 4 that played 459 yards with five birdies, 20 pars, 28 bogeys and six double bogeys.
Up next for the Texas Golf Association is the 105th Women’s Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US at the Nelson Golf and Sports Club – TPC Las Colinas from June 23-26.
To view final results from the 117th Texas Amateur presented by Hytera US, click here. To learn more about the Texas Amateur, click here. To learn more about Spanish Oaks Golf Club, click here.
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