Hideki Matsuyama produced a sublime final-round comeback hitting a nine-under 62 to triumph in the Genesis Invitational.
The 31-year-old from Japan entered the final day six shots behind overnight leader Patrick Cantlay but produced a sublime display, sinking nine birdies to surge up to the summit of the leaderboard and finish the tournament on 17 under, three shots clear of America’s Will Zalatoris and Luke List in second.
His performance on the final day helped secure his ninth PGA TOUR title, but first since the 2022 Sony Open in Hawaii, and also saw him become the first player in tournament history to card 62 or better in the final round at Riviera Country Club.
“This is my first top 10 since the last Players…so hopefully I can keep that momentum going,” Matsuyama said.
“I think it’s really important for me to keep this momentum, especially going to Augusta, so hopefully I can keep that.”
Cantlay slipped down to fourth alongside fellow countryman Xander Schauffele and Canada’s Adam Hadwin after carding a final-round 72.
Tiger Woods’ highly-anticipated return to the PGA TOUR was cut short after the 48-year-old withdrew from the event during the second-round due to health reasons.
Woods’ business partner, Rob McNamara, revealed that this was “not physical at all”.
“His back is fine. It was all medical illness, dehydration… the symptoms are reversing themselves now that he’s had an IV [drip],” said McNamara.
“He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy.
“Ultimately the doctors are saying he’s potentially got some type of flu and that he was dehydrated. He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better and he’ll be released on his own here soon.”
The next event on the PGA TOUR Schedule is the Mexico Championship taking place between 22-25 February at Vidanta Vallarta.