Honolulu, Hawaii – Hideki Matsuyama overcame a five-shot deficit at the turn on Sunday to reach a playoff against 54 hole leader Russell Henley. The Masters Champion who fired a final round 63, made quick work of the Henley with an eagle on the first hole of the sudden death with an eagle on the par 5 eighteenth. Matsuyama’s pin seeking 3 wood from 277 yards out, landed 8 feet from the flag and rolled to inside 3 feet – all but ending the 2022 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club. The 2013 Sony Open champion had one last gasp, likely needing a hole out from 88 yards – but Henley didn’t respond well with his approach, air mailing the green and making bogey. Matsuyama tapped in for eagle, his third victory in 12 months.
Sunday was a tale of two 9’s for Henley, who appeared in complete control early in the final round after an opening 29 Sunday, but he sputtered on the inward nine with a 1 over par 36 (to finish with a final round 65) – Matsuyama showed patience, stalking the lead and then exhibiting superb execution down the stretch.
“I feel great. To win here where the first Japanese player in Isao Aoki won on the PGA TOUR is extra special,” Matsuyama said. “Especially on a course that I haven’t really played that well. It’s a tough golf course for me. I’m extra excited, extra happy because of that.”
The win was Hideki’s eighth career PGA Tour win, which ties K.J Choi for most by an Asian born player. Matsuyama moved atop of the Fedex Cup standings with the victory.
Kevin Kisner and Seamus Power finished tied for third at 19 under par.
Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html
