Lee Hodges dominates 3M Open for first PGA tour victory
Hodges smashed tournament records with a 260 and a seven-stroke triumph at the 3M Open with a final-round 67 on Sunday.
"The process I went through, I'll take this week forever," Hodges remarked. "I'll just try to keep replicating this week every time I show up to a tournament."
On his 65th career start, Hodges led J.T. Poston by three entering the par-5 last hole. Hodges made his third birdie after Poston's reckless approach resulted in a triple bogey.
"I had to try and give it a shot and see if there was some way I could make 3 there at the end and put some pressure on Lee," Poston said.
After Savannah ran out to see him, 28-year-old Alabama native Lee hugged and hoisted her. Hodges' Alabama coach, Jay Seawell, surprised him with a milkshake.
"I'm super proud to be from there and represent those people," Hodges added. "I'm sure north Alabama is having a party."
Poston tied for second with Martin Laird and Kevin Streelman after a 69. Dylan Wu tied for fifth with a 64.
Tony Finau, the defending winner and highest-ranked player at 10th in the FedEx Cup standings, shot a 70 to finish in a three-way tie for eighth.
Hodges led the final round at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine, a former sod farm in suburban Minneapolis, after shooting 63, 64, and 66 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.