Matsuyama, Kisner
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kevin Kisner and Hideki Matsuyama spent a lot of time atop the leaderboard at the PGA Championship. Just not when it mattered most. Kisner, who led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds, wound up in a tie for seventh place. Matsuyama finished one stroke better than Kisner, in a tie for fifth place, after sharing the 36hole lead and starting the final round one stroke back.
“The last major of the year, and I was in contention,” Matsuyama said through an interpreter. “All I can do is just try harder next time.”
Kisner shot a 3-over 74 on Sunday and finished four strokes behind winner Justin Thomas. Matsuyama shot 72 in the final round and finished at 5 under for the tournament.
The leaderboard was full of players who have never won a major championship — of the top eight finishers, only Louis Oosthuizen arrived at Quail Hollow Club with one — so it seemed inevitable that someone would claim one for the first time.
Kisner and Matsuyama hoped it would be them. Especially at the point in the round when they both were part of a fiveway tie for first along with Thomas, Francesco Molinari and Chris Stroud.
“I really liked the way I started out, hitting the ball solid and giving myself a lot of good looks,” Kisner said. “Just not making the putts that I need to make to win major