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

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.