PGA Tour: Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama breaks scoring records in winning The Sentry
The Japanese gets his third win in a year by scoring a birdie or better over 35 holes and setting the record for lowest 72-hole score to par
Hideki Matsuyama opened the new season with a record performance, though it was hard to tell from his emotions. He was a machine at The Sentry, with 35 holes at birdie or better to finish at 35-under par – both PGA Tour records.
He broke into a wide smile only when his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, spoke to him on the side of the 18th green Sunday at Kapalua after one final birdie gave Matsuyama the scoring records and a three-shot victory over Collin Morikawa.
Matsuyama won US$3.6 million from his 11th career victory, making only one bogey over the final 59 holes to finish at 35-under 257.
Staked to a one-shot lead going into the final round, Matsuyama holed out from 107 yards for eagle on the third hole, expanded the lead when Morikawa had consecutive three-putts – one for par, another for bogey – and answered a late challenge with another wedge to four feet, closing with an eight-under 65.
The Japanese star, who turns 33 next month, had only a few days of practice leading into the season opener because he was not feeling well, most recently with sores in his mouth. He decided on a whim to switch to a more centre-shafted putter he received a few days after Christmas.
“I used the putter for the first time here,” Matsuyama said.hrough his interpreter. Asked why that style of putter worked so well for him, he added: “I’m not sure, but it went in.”
The last one was for the record book.