Asia-Pacific Brigade on the March in Maui

Maui, Hawaii, United States: Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama kept on course to start the New Year in the same manner as he ended last year after a sizzling second round of eight-under 65 propelled him into contention at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

The 29-year-old Matsuyama hit one eagle and seven birdies, including four successive gains on the back nine, for tied fifth place at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in what is the PGA Tour's first tournament of 2022.

Matsuyama’s 12-under total was matched by Im Sung-jae who carded a second straight 67 while fellow-Korean Kim Si-woo was two strokes back in joint eighth on 10-under after a 65.

Despite two opening bogeys, Australian Cameron Smith opened up a three-shot half-way lead on 17-under following a superb 64 while world number one Jon Rahm and Daniel Berger are tied second, three behind.

Matsuyama is a two-time winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, while Kim and Smith also participated in Asia's premier amateur event before they turned pro.

Adored at home for his success on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama reached dizzying heights in 2021 when he became the first Asian to win the Masters Tournament. It was his first Major title and was followed by his seventh Tour victory with a popular home triumph at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in October.

He has shown little rust in Maui so far despite playing only three rounds in the past month. Matsuyama eagled the fifth hole from seven feet and hit it to inside of three feet from holes 13 to 15 before rattling home a 21-footer on 16 for his final birdie of the round.

“Not one thing is great but my short irons have been great so that's why I think the scores have been okay,” said Matsuyama, currently fourth on the FedEx Cup 2021-22 ranking. “I haven't been practicing much so I didn't really have high expectations but hopefully I can play well on the weekend.”

Making his third start at the champions-only event, Matsuyama finished tied fourth here in 2018 and had Filipino-Japanese female golf star Yuka Saso among the fans following his group.

Matsuyama said: “Last year I didn't play well (in Maui), but hopefully I can play well on the weekend and be at the top of the leaderboard. If I can hit some good drives and make some putts I think I'll be okay,” he said.

Three-time Tour winner Kim's 65 featured eight birdies against no bogeys. The 26-year-old closed with four straight birdies from inside of 12 feet to end his day on 10-under for the tournament. 

“I felt great today. Everything was good. I was a little nervous yesterday because it was the first day of the first event this year, but I felt more comfortable today,” said Kim, who finished 10th here in 2018 in his only previous start in Maui.

“I think for this tournament, all champions come out to play and it’s fun and enjoyable. And this course is so beautiful. I enjoy being here,” he added.