World No. 5 Hideki Matsuyama set a new PGA TOUR record at The Sentry, the first event of the new season.
With a 35 under par total, he finished three shots clear of America’s Collin Morikawa on the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii to claim his 11th PGA TOUR title and third in 10 months.
The 32-year-old started off the final round with a one-shot advantage and an impressive eagle at the par-4 2nd extended that lead to two ahead of Morikawa.
His lead was further extended by the 5th, when he sank his first of many birdies to come. Matsuyama’s only bogey of the final round came at the 7th hole, when his second shot didn’t meet the green. But with the six birdies that followed, his lead fluctuated between three or four-shots.
The current World No. 4 however didn’t let up easily and with a birdie on the 15th, he made it within two shots of the lead to put some pressure on his rival. But Matsuyama’s closing birdie broke the 2022 record by one for the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par that was previously held by Australia’s Cameron Smith.
“That last putt, it felt like if I make it, it’s going to be the record, so I’m so happy that it went in,” said the 32-year-old Japanese victor. “I was able to get a great off-season and get a fresh start this week and play well so it’s a great way to start.”
Runner up Morikawa admired Matsuyama and his tenacity throughout the final round.
“Today he just never let up. Then you get to the third hole and the guy holes it. I just knew I had to be on top of everything, and just kind of let a few slip on that front nine. Played a good back nine, but to win on a course like this, conditions like this, you’ve got to have it for 72 (holes). And I had it for 65.”
South Korea’s Im Sung-jae ended the tournament in third on 29 under to complete the top three.
What is the next event?
The next event on the PGA TOUR schedule is the Sony Open taking pace between 9-12 January at the Wai’alae Country Club in Hawaii.