Magisterial Matsuyama wins WGC Bridgestone Invitational

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA fired a course record-equalling nine-under par 61 yesterday to win the Bridgestone Invitational by five strokes for a second World Golf Championships win.

The world No. 3 from Japan marched to the title with an eagle and seven birdies. His 16-under total of 264 put him five in front of two-time major winner Zach Johnson, who closed with a 68 for 269.

Matsuyama kick-started his round with an eagle at Firestone Country Club’s par-five second, where he chipped in from just off the green.

“In fact, I played with Tiger (Woods) four years ago when he shot 61, so I knew 61 was the number today,” Matsuyama said. “I was thinking about that at 16 – I knew if I birdied 16, 17 and 18 I could get there.”

He did – rolling in a six-footer at the last – and will go into the PGA Championship a hot favorite to become the first Japanese man to win a major championship – although he noted that he’s never been particularly successful in the PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow.

“All I can do is my best,” Matsuyama said.

That was certainly good enough yesterday – although Matsuyama said he had no expectation of such a round after his pre-round practice.

American Charley Hoffman applied some pressure with five birdies his first 11 holes, but couldn’t maintain his consistency in a 66 that saw him settle for third place on 270.

Johnson, who shared the overnight lead with Belgian Thomas Pieters, had three birdies and a bogey in his two-under effort – but parred his way through the last seven holes as Matsuyama consolidated his lead.

Johnson, seeking his first win since the 2015 British Open, was encouraged by his game but said of Matsuyama: “Clearly, we all ran into a buzz saw today.”

Pieters’s one-over 71 was good enough for fourth place on 272.

Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy carded a 60 to head a group on 273 that also included Scotland’s Russel Knox (68), England’s Paul Casey (67) and Canadian Adam Hadwin (69).

British Open champion Jordan Spieth, who will be pursuing a career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship, closed with a 68 that left him in a group sharing 13th on 276. – AFP