Japan – It’s been a pretty solid year for Hideki Matsuyama, on Sunday it took a blistering final eight holes to put the bookend on his 2021 campaign.
Halfway through the final round at the Zozo Championship it was looking like Cameron Tringale was going to steal the spotlight from local hero and reigning Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama – Tringale took the solo lead with back-to-back birdies at 9 and 10.
Matsuyama’s responded exactly as the home crowd hoped he would, making three birdies and an eagle over the last eight holes to fire a closing five-under-par 65. His approach from 241 yards out on the last was the exclamation point, nearly holing out for a 2. Moments later he buried the eagle putt and raised his arms in victory. The 29 year-old shot rounds of 64-68-68-65 = 265 total (15 under par total).
Afterward, Matsuyama acknowledged what the win meant to him – “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 title at Zozo was his first PGA Tour sanctioned win in Japan, and his 7th career PGA Tour win.
Cameron Tringale bogeyed both the 17th and 18th holes on Sunday to finish in a tie for second with Brendan Steele five shots back.
