WATCH: “Felt I was never going to win again,” Hideki Matsuyama overtakes Patrick Cantlay to win 98th edition of The Genesis Invitational 

Hideki Matsuyama’s perfect shot at 62 crowns him The Genesis Invitational winner. He surpasses K.J. Choi for most wins for Asian-born players with his 9th PGA Tour victory.

WATCH: “Felt I was never going to win again,” Hideki Matsuyama overtakes Patrick Cantlay to win 98th edition of The Genesis Invitational 

Hideki Matsuyama [Image Credit Imago]

Hideki Matsuyama who remained almost quiet during the whole Genesis Invitational week rattled the crowd with a perfect final round finish. His 9th PGA Tour win saw him surpass K.J. Choi for most wins by Asian-born players. Sunday was all about Patrick Cantlay who led each of the first three rounds, with Matsuyama tailing him with six strokes out of the lead.

His victory even surprised him as he commented, “I was not feeling comfortable with my ball-striking” and even thought he would be missing a couple of shots to finish the tournament. However, Matsuyama’s 3-shot victory at 17-under par backed by a 9-under par 62 on Sunday broke him free from the rest of the competitors on the field.

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His biggest competitor was Will Zalatoris who trailed by only one shot through 14 holes. Unfortunately, Zalatoris’s bogey on 15 tied him for 2nd while Hideki Matsuyama unleashed his magic on Nos 16-17. Cantlay who partnered up with his friend Xander Schauffele tied for 4th place.

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Matsuyama, who did not won a tournament since his 2022 Sony Open, stated, 

After my eighth win, I’ve been struggling with my back injury…I felt I was never going to win again.
Hideki Matsuyama as per NY Post.

With his latest win, he became the 17th player to have won The Riviera Country Club and Augusta National in history. He revealed winning the Genesis Invitational was one of his goals ever since he debuted professionally. “After Tiger [Woods] became the host, that goal became a lot bigger.” 

Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth congratulate Hideki Matsuyama for 9th PGA Tour victory

Tiger Woods congratulated Hideki Matsuyama for winning The Genesis Invitational, despite the GOAT being forced to quit midway due to flu illness. On X, he noted that he was keeping track of the event and was awed by Matsuyama’s brilliant shot at 62 “and coming from six shots back is truly special.” Matsuyama who ended up on the field’s top score board admitted that he felt “disappointed” by the absence of the legendary golfer during the award ceremony.

Tiger Woods, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth [Image Credit: Imago/Japan Today]
Tiger Woods, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth [Image Credit: Imago/Japan Today]

Matsuyama wanted to “take a picture with Tiger today” but unfortunately his wish did not come true due to unforeseen circumstances. It was an unfortunate deal for Woods too who participated in competitive golf after a long time. His latest win will add to the list of his major victories last in the 2021 Masters Tournament.

Unlike Tiger Woods, pro golfer Jordan Spieth sent a hilarious warning as a sign of congratulations to the Japanese player. He noted,

Great playing Hideki! Just make sure you double check that scorecard…
Jordan Spieth on X.

His joke came from Spieth’s own experience when he got disqualified at Riviera when he signed an incorrect scorecard. Matsuyama’s win at the Genesis Invitational meant a lot for the golfer as he recalled the tough times he went through without a win.

He admitted that he was struggling to reach the Top 10 but with his latest win “I’m really happy that I was able to win today.” Although a bit of controversy did shake up the fans earlier in the tournament, the officials cleared the air and Matsuyama’s name, granting him his 9th PGA victory.

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