Matsuyama wins with big finish

AKRON, OHIO» Hideki Matsuyama warmed up poorly and then turned in the best round of his career at the Bridgestone Invitational, a 9-under-par 61 that tied the course record and gave him another blowout victory in a World Golf Championship.

It was the lowest final round in four decades at Firestone Country Club and led to a fiveshot victory over Zach Johnson.

Matsuyama knew from experience that the course record was a 61 because he was in the same group when Tiger Woods shot a 61 in the second round in 2013. All it would take was birdies on the last three holes, and like everything else Sunday, the 25-year-old from Japan made it look easy.

“I knew 61 was the number,” Matsuyama said through his interpreter. “I was thinking about that at 16. I knew if I birdied 16, 17, 18, I could get there.”

Kim holds off Shadoff.

I.K. ANDREWS,

Kim banished the haunting memory of missing a 14-inch putt to win a major and replaced it with the sweetest sensation.

Finally, she can call herself a major champion.

Staked to a six-shot lead in the Women’s British Open, Kim never led anyone get closer than two shots at Kingsbarns Links and sealed a victory over Jodi Ewart Shadoff with a hybrid over the burn to the 17th green. She made nine pars on the back nine and closed with a 1-under 71 for a two-shot win.

She finished at 18-under 270 to capture the $487,500 prize.

Stroud claims Barracuda.

RENO, NEV.» Chris Stroud made an eagle on his final hole to get into a three-man playoff and won with a two-putt birdie on the second extra hole in the Barracuda Championship, his first PGA Tour victory.

Stroud played the final six holes with three birdies and an eagle to earn 20 points in the modified Stableford format. That got him into a playoff with Greg Owen and Richy Werenski, who each birdied the par-5 18th.