Hideki Matsuyama made his first bogey in 48 holes at the par-4 7th but an eagle at the par-4 3rd as well as seven birdies for a 65 to reach 35-under secured him a three-shot win at The Sentry.
“I knew Collin [Morikawa] was going to play good today, so I was going to say, hey, I’m going to shoot 10-under today, and that’s the attitude I had today.”
This was his 11th PGA Tour victory in his 265th start at the age of 32. He has the most wins by an Asian player on Tour (K.J. Choi of South Korea has 8) and he becomes the seventh player to win both Hawaii events.
“I’m very happy,” said the Japanese player. “I wanted to definitely win both tournaments in Hawaii. So I’m very happy to be able to do that
Matsuyama’s 257 total equals his lowest 72-hole total on Tour (257; 2022 Sony Open in Hawaii/Won) and sets a new tournament record.
35-under is the new record for lowest score in relation to par in a 72-hole event (since the start of the 1983 season) and he made the most birdies or better in a 72-hole event (since 1983).
“That last putt, it felt like if I make it, then it’s going to be the record, so I’m so happy that it went in,” said Morikawa.
American Collin Morikawa made a single bogey and seven birdies to card a 67 and finish second at 32-under.
Koean Sungjae Im played his last 51 holes without a bogey and recorded a final-round 65 to finish third at 29-under.
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas carded a bogey-free 65 and finished fourth at 24-under.
