Hideki Matsuyama staged a remarkable comeback at The Genesis Invitational, showcasing his prowess with a scorching final round back-nine 30.
The Japanese golf sensation carded six birdies without a bogey, closing out the tournament at an impressive 17-under and securing victory with a three-stroke lead.
Matsuyama’s 9-under 62 on Sunday set a new record as the lowest final-round tournament score recorded at Riviera Country Club.
Throughout the final round, Matsuyama’s pristine iron play was a sight to behold. His Srixon Z-Forged II Irons played a pivotal role, especially on the 15th and 16th holes, where he executed back-to-back iron shots within nine and six inches, respectively.
Playing pain-free for the first time since the Sony Open in 2022, Matsuyama expressed his relief and determination to maintain positive momentum into the upcoming major season.
Reflecting on the victory, he stated, “Ever since that injury, I was worried every week I would hurt my back. This week I played without any worries so that really helped.”
Matsuyama attributed his success to his exceptional chipping skills, ranking first in scrambling using his Cleveland Golf RTX Wedges and Srixon’s Z-STAR XV golf ball to navigate the challenges of Riviera.
With this win, Matsuyama made history as the first player from Japan to triumph at Riviera and became the winningest Asian-born player in PGA Tour history.
