Cullman’s Jordan Lee shouts in celebration on Sunday after becoming the third angler to notch back-to-back Bassmaster Classic titles.

Jordan Lee possesses a certain knack for the big moment.

The 26-year-old Cullman High graduate more than proved that at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell on Sunday afternoon, capturing a three-day total of 47 pounds, 1 ounce to claim back-to-back Bassmaster Classic titles.

With the win, Lee amassed a $300,000 check and joined Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam as the only anglers in Bassmaster history to win consecutive Classics.

“It’s really surreal,” Lee said in a phone interview with The Times. “I never thought in a million years I’d win a Classic, let alone two. I could never win another tournament, and I could die a happy man. It’s special to somehow pull it off. I’m a big believer in Christ and having faith. There’s definitely a higher up that’s looking after me when it comes to this.”

Lee, who won last year’s event at Texas’ Lake Conroe, began the final day in sixth place but secured a stout five-fish total of 16 pounds, 5 ounces to surge up the leaderboard and into the top spot, where he played the waiting game — holding off Brent Ehrler (46-1) and Jason Christie (45-15) at the exciting weigh-in — for just a few moments before enjoying a well-earned celebration.

Christie, who led after Friday and Saturday, needed just 9 pounds, 14 ounces to collect the title. But the final angler to tip the scales on Sunday afternoon provided only 8 pounds, 11 ounces, sealing the triumph for Lee.

“It was déjà vu,” Lee said. “It was almost the exact same scenario as last year. Lake Hartwell doesn’t have quite the fish that Lake Conroe has, so a 7-pound deficit was a lot. When Christie was walking up there, I didn’t realize how much weight he needed, but I thought he’d have what he needed to win. It was definitely close, but I fished clean all week. I just wanted to do the best I could and stick to the gameplan.”

And that’s exactly what he did, scouring the boat docks for excellent totals of 18 pounds, 10 ounces (Friday) and 12 pounds, 2 ounces (Saturday) to easily make the Top 25 cut.

From there, Lee took care of business.

“I enjoyed this win a little more. Last year, I was so mentally drained. It’s starting to sink in today. It’s been a blessing. Out of all the tournaments I’ve fished and never won, to win this one back-to-back is really hard to explain. I was very emotional. You don’t plan on winning this one. You want to come here, do your best and try to win. There was no point this week I was thinking, ‘I’m going to win.’ It has to happen.”

Not only did Lee get to enjoy his victory, but he also got to enjoy watching his brother, Matt, shine as well.

The latter hauled in a three-day total of 43 pounds, 15 ounces — briefly holding the lead — to take home a fine fourth-place finish.

It was certainly a sight to behold for the Lee family.

“Matt’s been on a tear,” Lee said. “He’s been catching really good everywhere. It’s really great to see him do well. He’s going to win his (Classic) soon. It’s definitely cool to be there with him and both of us do awesome. We never could have dreamed of doing it … years ago saying we’re going to fish the Classic and smash ’em. That’s what we live for and work for, though. This is why we do it. It’s fun to see it pay off.”