PGA TOUR
Matsuyama Produces Final Round 62 To Win The Genesis Invitational
Hideki Matsuyama returned to the winner’s circle for the first time on the PGA TOUR in 763 days to win The Genesis Invitational by three shots. The 31-year-old from Japan broke away from a crowded leaderboard late on Sunday after producing a round at Riviera that will long be remembered! The former Masters champion, who started the final round six shots off the lead, fired a stunning 9-under 62 at The Riviera Country Club in California for his ninth PGA TOUR title. It was the lowest round on Sunday by the eventual champion at the event. His last win was at the 2022 Sony Open in January that year.
Matsuyama was one of five players in a tie for the lead early on the back nine at 14-under. The 2021 Masters champion was joined by Luke List, Will Zalatoris, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. Matsuyama broke clear of the pack with a string of birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th holes. At the 15th hole, the world. No. 55 hit a laser approach from 189 yards to just eight inches from the cup. At the 16th hole, he struck his approach from 160 yards to six inches from the hole. And, at the 17th hole, Matsuyama buried a three-foot birdie putt for an unassailable advantage heading into the 72nd hole.
Matsuyama carded rounds of 69, 68, 68 and 62 to reach 17-under.
America’s Will Zalatoris and Luke List finished three shots back at 14-under in joint second place.
Both players held the outright lead at some point on the back nine. List held the lead with nine holes to play. Zalatoris moved into the outright lead after holing a 12 foot birdie putt at the 13th hole. List, aged 39, was looking for his third PGA title after picking up wins in each of the previous two years. The world No. 96 closed with a 3-under 68. Zalatoris was searching for his second PGA title and first win since returning to the tour after back surgery in April 2023. The 27-year-old, who fired a hole-in-one on Friday at the 14th hole, signed for a final round 2-under 69.
Canada’s Adam Hadwin (65) along with American duo Patrick Cantlay (72) and Xander Schauffele (70) shared fourth place at 13-under.
Jason Day was the best-placed Australian. The 36-year-old from Queensland posted a 1-over 72 final round to finish at 9-under and finish in outright 9th place.
Tiger Woods withdrew from the event on Friday suffering flu-like symptons. It was his first official PGA TOUR start since last year's Masters at Augusta.
The PGA TOUR moves to Mexico for next week’s Mexico Open at Vidanta. America’s Tony Finau is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Hideki Matsuyama -17
T2. Will Zalatoris -14
T2. Luke List -14
T4. Adam Hadwin -13
T4. Xander Schauffele -13
T4. Patrick Cantlay -13
7. Harris English -12
Australians
9. Jason Day -9
T19. Adam Scott -6
49. Cam Davis +2
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
