Philip Lee's final-round charge secures Carlton Woods win

May 2, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Philip Lee (Photo by Darren Reese/Tennessee Golf Association)

The two-time Tennessee Mid-Amateur champion had a final-round 67 that helped him climb back from a four-shot deficit

Tennessee Golf had a day Thursday in the final round of the Carlton Woods Invitational. After a final-round 5-under 67 at the Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, Nashville native Philip Lee took the title.

Lee opened the prestigious mid-amateur event with rounds of 73-72 and was four shots back entering the third and final round. He immediately started working on that deficit, birdieing No. 2 but giving it back with a bogey at No. 5.

Lee went 3 under before the turn, added two birdies on the back and squeaked out a one-shot victory on defending champion Joe Deraney of Belden, Miss.

For Lee, the Carlton Woods Invitational is a breakthrough in national competition. He is a two-time Tennessee Mid-Amateur champion (2013 and '16), and last year finished in the top 5 at the Crane Cup.

Deraney, competing for the second consecutive week after a T-27 at the George L. Coleman Invitational, finished close on his heels at 3 under. Deraney opened with 68 for the first-round lead, but closed with rounds of 74-71. For his part, Deraney eagled his final hole of the day on Thursday, but it still wasn’t enough to catch Lee.

Three players tied for third at 4 over, including two more Tennessee players in Rob Garland and Dan Crockett. Both are also former Tennessee Mid-Am winners – Garland in in 2008 and Crockett in 2007. Houston’s Matt Van Zandt was also at that number.

Second-round leader Brian Blanchard of Scottsdale, Ariz., closed with an 80 to fall to 5 over and solo sixth.

Tony Romo, who will also play the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson later this month on a sponsor exemption, tied for 13th.

Results: Carlton Woods Invitational

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Philip Lee	Nashville, TN	300	73-72-67=212
2	Joseph Deraney	Belden, MS	200	68-74-71=213
T3	Rob Garland	Nashville, TN	100	71-79-70=220
T3	Matt Van Zandt	Houston, TX	100	72-73-75=220
T3	Dan Crockett	Franklin, TN	100	73-70-77=220

View full results for Carlton Woods Invitational

About the Carlton Woods Invitational

Philip Lee's final-round charge secures Carlton Woods win

A 54-hole stroke play golf tournament played at The Club at Carlton Woods in the beautiful Houston community of The Woodlands, where golf is one of the top activities. Entry into the Carlton Woods Invitational is strictly by invitation from the Tourn...