Hideki Matsuyama opened the new season with a record performance, though it was hard to tell from his emotions. He was a machine at The Sentry, with 35 holes at birdie or better to finish at 35-under par, both PGA Tour records.
He only broke into a wide smile when his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, spoke to him on the side of the 18th green at Kapalua after one final birdie gave Matsuyama the scoring records and a three-shot victory over Collin Morikawa.
"Otoshidama arigato gozaimasu."
It translates roughly to thanks for a traditional Japanese gift to children in the new year to wish them luck and prosperity. Matsuyama won US$3.6 million (HK$28.08 million) from his 11th career victory.
There was little luck involved over four days on a Plantation course that was vulnerable as ever without hardly any wind. Matsuyama made only one bogey over the final 59 holes to finish at 35-under 257.
Staked to a one-shot lead going into the final round, Matsuyama holed out from 107 yards for eagle on the third hole, increased the lead when Morikawa had consecutive three-putts - one for par, another for bogey - and answered a late challenge with another wedge to four feet.
He closed with an eight-under 65 and started the new season in ways Matsuyama would not have imagined.
The 32-year-old Japanese star had only a few days of practice leading into the season opener because he was not feeling well. He decided on a whim to switch to a more center-shafted putter he received a few days after Christmas.
His 35 under broke by one the record to par Cameron Smith set at Kapalua in 2022. It also was his 35th hole of birdie or better, breaking the record set by Smith in 2022.
Matsuyama has three PGA Tour victories in the last 10 months, all of them against strong fields, including the Riviera last February and the first FedEx Cup playoff event in August.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hideki Matsuyama fnishes the Kapalua tournament at 35-under par. AP
