A special win was already in store, then Hideki Matsuyama added an exclamation point. Up by two on the 72nd hole, Matsuyama hit a blistering approach right over the flag to make his second eagle of the day and win the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP by five shots.
“My second shot at 18, that was probably the clincher,” said the recent Masters champion. The home fans helped Matsuyama pull away from Cameron Tringale, his closest competitor on the day, over a stretch that included three birdies in five holes.
“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.”
The victory, Matsuyama’s seventh PGA TOUR title, is a redemption of sorts after missing out on the bronze medal during the Tokyo Olympics, where no fans were able to attend.
THE PGA TOUR IS BERMUDA-BOUND
The pros head to Bermuda for the third annual Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Masters winners Patrick Reed and Danny Willett are set to tee it up in Bermuda.
Brian Gay returns to defend his title from 2020. Matthew Fitzpatrick, fresh off his Ryder Cup start and recent victory on the European Tour at the famed Valderrama Golf Course, is in the field. Ryder Cup assistant captains Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald are heading to Bermuda.
McDowell competed in the Grand Slam of Golf here, an event that pitted the year’s four major winners against each other, as did Lucas Glover and Jason Dufner, who also are in this week’s field at Port Royal GC.
The Robert Trent Jones designed course plays as a par 71 (6,828 yards), which is the longest on the island and demands tight shot-making. The Butterfield Bermuda Championship will offer the full 500 FedExCup points to the winner.
