Fast-Finishing Hideki Maintains Fine US Open Record

Boston, Massachusetts, United States: Hideki Matsuyama secured his third top-10 finish at the US Open and ninth overall in the Majors to underline his status as one of the world’s best golfers.

The 30-year-old, who won the 2021 Masters Tournament to become Japan’s first male Major winner, saved his best for last when he fired the week’s lowest round of five-under 65 at The Country Club in Brookline to end the US$12.5 million showpiece in solo fourth place.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick (68) claimed his first Major title with a pulsating one-stroke victory over Will Zalatoris (69) and world number one Scottie Scheffler (67), both of the US.

Matsuyama, 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking, rode a hot putter to chalk up five birdies in a bogey-free round to soar up the leaderboard. His 72-hole total of three-under 277 was three behind Fitzpatrick.

Matsuyama, a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner, was particularly pleased to maintain his fine record at the US Open, In 2017 he was joint runner-up and in 2013 he tied for 10th. In his nine appearances in the event, he’s only missed one cut and finished no worse than equal 35th.

The strong finish at The Country Club was his sixth top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season and propelled him to fifth position on the latest FedEx Cup points list.

“I don't feel like this is my 100 per cent performance, but it does give me a boost in confidence. I’ll try to continue this momentum to my next tournament,” said Matsuyama, whose 65 tied his low score at the 2017 US Open.

The highlight of his day was a birdie from 39 feet at the par-four 13th. At the previous hole, he’d drained a 28-footer. The eight-time PGA Tour winner collected further birdies at the sixth, seventh and 16th. “I feel like my putting helped me a lot. I was stroking the ball really well. That really helped my game today,” said Matsuyama.

Matsuyama admitted he needs to focus on his consistency if he’s to secure a second Major win.

He said: “To be honest, I’m not really thinking about that. I’m just trying to play my best game always ... just keep on grinding and trying my best. I’m working on trying to be consistent for four days.”

Fitzpatrick shot a second successive 68 to win his first PGA Tour title. “Unbelievable. The feeling’s out of this world. It is so cliche, but it’s stuff you dream of as a kid. To have achieved it, I can retire a happy man tomorrow,” said Fitzpatrick, who won the US Amateur at The Country Club in 2013.

Although reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner Keita Nakajima, number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, missed the cut, three other former AAC participants who did play all four rounds were Australians Min Woo Lee (tied 27th) and Todd Sinnott (tied 31st) and Korean KH Lee (tied 37th).

There was an impressive showing from 20-year-old Korean Kim Joo-hyung. Last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit champion finished 23rd after closing with a 70.