Matsuyama holds on to win by 2
Japan star takes ‘Tiger’s tournament’ as Woods struggles to finish 15th
Hideki Matsuyama was only 5 when he first saw Tiger Woods, watching on videotape that 1997 Masters victory. Even sweeter was standing next to Woods in his Sunday red shirt to receive yet another trophy.
Right now, the Japanese star can’t seem to lose.
The return of Tiger Woods ended with Matsuyama winning his third straight tournament, and fourth out of his last five, in the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas.
“I can’t say that I played well today, but I did win Tiger’s tournament,” Matsuyama said. “And what a great honor that is.”
Matsuyama had a few nervous moments on the back nine at Albany when his seven-shot lead at the start of the final round was reduced to two shots over British Open champion Henrik Stenson with two to play.
Matsuyama closed with two pars for a 1-over 73 and a two-shot victory.
Woods found plenty of positives from his first tournament in more than 15 months, though the final round featured three double bogeys and a 76 that dropped him to 15th place out of 17 players.
“It feels good to be back out here playing again, competing and trying to beat the best players in the world,” Woods said. “I missed it. I love it.”
Matsuyama, who finished at 18-under 270, won $1 million and remained at No. 6 in the world. He ended his streak of 17 consecutive founds in the 60s, though all that mattered was the trophy presentation with Woods.
LPGA: Jaye Marie Green won the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament to top the 20 card-earners, making a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory. Green became the first player to win the event twice since it moved to Daytona Beach in 1991. Green closed with a 2-over 74 to finish at 13-under 347 at LPGA International.
Australian PGA: Harold Varner III didn’t really know the protocol, so he filled the Australian PGA Championship trophy with champagne, took a sip and then shared it around. The 26-year-old American won for the first time outside the U.S. mini tours, closing with a 7-under 65 to finish at 19under 269 at Royal Pines. The only player other than Tiger Woods with black heritage on the PGA Tour, Varner lost in a playoff last year at Royal Pines. Australia’s Andrew Dodt (69) was two strokes back.