Hideki Matsuyama makes a late comeback and wins the FedEx St. Jude Championship
Subscribe to our free sports newsletter and receive the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing.
Sign up for our free sports email newsletter to receive all the latest news
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama made a late comeback after an alarming stumble to take a two-stroke victory on the eventful final day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Matsuyama, who entered the fourth round at TPC Southwind with a five-shot lead, appeared to be about to give up the title when he made two birdies when leaving the 11th green at 19 under par, but dropped four shots on as many holes.
Officials spoke to the 32-year-old about a possible rule violation because he had repaired a divot on the green of an earlier hole on the way to the 12th tee.
This obviously affected him as he made a bogey on that hole before missing another on the par-3 14th after his tee shot landed in the water. He then made a double bogey on the 15th to give up the lead.
Viktor Hovlund took the lead at 16 under par, but dropped a stroke on hole 17 to draw level with the Open winner. Xander Schauffelewho scored a flawless 63 points.
But Matsuyama responded with birdies on each of the last two holes to get back to 17 under par.
After his victory, he told reporters: “I am especially pleased to win one of the tournaments in the FedEx Playoff Series.
“I’ve been trying for ten years and it’s a great feeling of satisfaction to have finally done it.”
World number one Scottie Scheffler was a further stroke behind in fourth place and fellow countryman Nick Dunlap, who had started the day as Matsuyama’s closest but still distant pursuer, finished tied for fifth place with fellow countryman Sam Burns on 13 under par.
This secured Dunlap’s place in FedEx’s top 50 and the BMW Championship next week in Colorado.
Northern Ireland’s four-time major winner Rory McIlroy scored a second consecutive 74 and finished the tournament nine over par, but is in fifth place in the rankings and will be played by Ireland’s Shane LowryScotsman Robert MacIntyre and English Tommy FleetwoodMatt Fitzpatrick and Aaron Rai.
Justin Rose, however, failed to make it into the top 50 after shooting two consecutive rounds of 66 strokes.