Matsuyama takes Hero World Challenge title

HIDEKI Matsuyama captured his fourth title in the past two months on Sunday by holding off reigning British Open champion Henrik Stenson to win the Hero World Challenge by two strokes.

The 24-year-old Japanese star served notice that he will be a contender to become his homeland’s first male major golf champion by taking the 18-man invitational event hosted by 14-time major winner Tiger Woods.

Sixth-ranked Matsuyama finished on 18-under par 270 after a closing one- over par 73, while Sweden’s fourthranked Stenson, who trimmed an eight-shot deficit to two, shot 68 to stand on 16-under 272.

“I think he’ll be a major champion within the next couple years,” said fifth-ranked Jordan Spieth of the United States, who followed a 2014 Challenge title with 2015 Masters and US Open triumphs.

Matsuyama won at the Japan Open and World Golf Championships HSBC Champions in October, settling for a runner-up spot in Malaysia in between, and won last month at the Taiheiyo Masters in Japan.

After adding the Challenge trophy, could a historic major be next for Matsuyama? “That’s my goal and one of the things I’ll be working hard to accomplish,” Matsuyama said.

Matsuyama has five top-10 efforts in 17 major starts, including a career-best fourth place at this year’s PGA Championship. He was fifth in last year’s Masters and shared seventh this past April at Augusta National Golf Course.

Stenson sank a six-foot birdie putt at the 16th to pull within two and both parred the 17th. At 18, Matsuyama found the right rough and went over the green with his approach, while Stenson gave himself a 10-foot birdie chance.

Matsuyama responded by chipping to within inches of the cup. Stenson lipped out on his birdie putt and both closed with pars to give the Asian star the $1 million top prize at the $3.5 million event.