Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama had three birdies on the back nine and eagled the 18th for good measure for a 5-stroke victory at the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship on Sunday.
Matsuyama finished with a 65 and a 15-under total of 265 at Narashino Country Club. It was his seventh PGA Tour victory. If there was any doubt, Matsuyama hit a 3-wood to about 12 feet with his second shot on the par-5 18th and made the eagle putt. It was Matsuyama’s first PGA Tour win in his native Japan.
The last 15 minutes were good theater. With only a two-shot margin standing on the 18th tee, Matsuyama blasted a drive into the short grass and followed with a fairway wood from 241 yards, the ball seeking out the flag and nearly dunking in for an albatross. He then dramatically converted the eagle and thrust both arms in the air.
Matsuyama, whose comments on the win for international reporters were limited to his on-camera interview, said through an interpreter, “It’s just great to be able to play in front of so many fans here in Japan and to be able to play well. I’m thrilled.”
That is clearly an understatement. While Matsuyama won eight times in Japan, including as 2011 victory as an amateur, this is his first PGA Tour win at home. It also eases the disappointment of not earning a medal in the summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
Putting has always been a little sketchy, but when he has weeks like those in the Masters and Zozo, Matsuyama seems unstoppable. The stroke that spurred his back-nine charge on Sunday was a 35-foot putt that dropped for birdie. He made another 15-footer at the par-4 15th.
We look forward to the Bermuda Championship as Brian Gay looks to defend his title. Hollywoodbets has all the best golfing odds for this weekend.
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