Hideki Matsuyama almost let the FedEx St. Jude Championship slip through his fingers. After holding a five-shot lead and playing 27 bogey-free holes, things took a sharp turn. But in a surprising twist on Sunday, he turned it all around.
Hideki Matsuyama was close to a collapse when he faced the 17th hole. He had just made a three-putt bogey on the 12th, hit a tee shot into the water on the 14th, and double-bogeyed the 15th after struggling with two chips to the green. When he saw the leaderboard on the 16th, he feared the worst. But instead of giving up, he pulled off a stunning comeback.
With the pressure mounting, Hideki Matsuyama sank a crucial 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th to regain the lead. Then, he played two of his best shots of the day on the 18th, securing one last birdie. This victory marked his 10th career PGA Tour win and his first FedEx Cup playoffs title.
“It felt like the victory was slipping away, especially with the tough 17th and 18th holes,” Hideki Matsuyama said through an interpreter. “I stayed focused on each shot and managed to birdie both holes.”
The final two holes at TPC Southwind are known for their difficulty, but Matsuyama’s birdies secured him an even-par 70 and a two-shot win over Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland. Both Schauffele and Hovland thought they were fighting for the win when Matsuyama’s game started to unravel.
Schauffele began the day nine shots behind and played bogey-free with a 63, while Hovland led with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th. However, Hovland lost his lead by failing to save par from a bunker on the 17th, and then missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the 18th, finishing with a 66.
Hideki Matsuyama’s final birdies stunned everyone, including Nick Dunlap, who played in the final group with him. Dunlap, who needed a par on the 18th to move into the top 50 and advance in the FedEx Cup, said, “It was weird. I thought I still had a chance to win on 17, but then I was stressing over whether I’d make it into the top 50.”
Tom Kim was another player on the bubble. He looked set to make the top 50 until a disastrous 6-6-6 finish on his last three holes ended his season. Kim reflected, “This season has just been tough. I’ve played some really good golf, but these tough finishes keep holding me back.”
The stakes were high not only for the win but also for advancing in the playoffs. Matsuyama’s victory earned him $3.6 million and moved him from No. 8 to No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings.
His second win of the year, following his triumph at the Genesis Invitational, showed his resilience, especially after the chaos leading up to the tournament. Matsuyama and his team had their bags stolen in London, losing his wallet and the passports of his caddie and coach. Despite these setbacks, Hideki Matsuyama pressed on and delivered a golden performance.
As the dust settled, Hovland, Dunlap, and Eric Cole moved into the top 50, securing their spots for next week’s BMW Championship. Cole impressed with a 63, despite a bogey on the final hole. Meanwhile, Kim, Mackenzie Hughes, and Jake Knapp dropped out of the top 50, ending their FedEx Cup campaigns for the season.
Hideki Matsuyama’s comeback showed why he’s a major champion. His calm under pressure and ability to bounce back from setbacks were on full display, making his win all the more impressive.
