Matsuyama Suffers More Play-Off Agony

Memphis, United States: For the second successive week, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama fell agonisingly short in a play-off lottery.

The reigning Masters champion appeared poised to register a memorable come-from-behind victory at the World Golf Championships-FedEx St Jude Invitational but lost in a three-way play-off at TPC Southwind in Memphis to Abraham Ancer, who became the first Mexican to win a WGC title.

The defeat came seven days after Matsuyama was involved in a seven-man play-off for the bronze medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in which Chinese Taipei’s CT Pan prevailed for the podium finish.

Starting the final round in Memphis nine shots off the lead, Matsuyama fired a stunning bogey-free seven-under 63 to finish on 16-under 264, alongside Ancer and Sam Burns.

He birdied four of his last seven holes, and lipped out a long birdie attempt in regulation play on the 18th green which would have given him his seventh PGA Tour success. He made pars in the two sudden-death holes. Ancer birdied the second to claim his maiden PGA Tour success and end a riveting final-day contest.

Matsuyama, a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner, said: “It’s tough to lose in a play-off, but I wasn’t able to hit the fairway with either tee shot. I congratulate Abraham. He played great all week.”

The 29-year-old Matsuyama is virtually guaranteed to qualify for his eighth successive Tour Championship in Atlanta after moving up to 14th place in the latest FedEx Cup points list.

With his run of good form over the past fortnight – his best results since becoming Japan’s first male Major champion in April – the Japanese will now tee up in this week’s Wyndham Championship, the final event of the Regular Season, before going into battle in the FedEx Cup Play-offs at The Northern Trust, BMW Championship and Tour Championship.

“I’m not going to take next week off, I’m going to play Wyndham. But I still don’t come close to Patrick Reed’s ironman status, so I’ll keep grinding and look forward to the Play-offs,” said Matsuyama, who is seeking to become the first Asian winner of the Tour’s ultimate prize, the FedEx Cup.

Ancer won the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational with a six-foot birdie putt after Burns lipped out from slightly closer range. “This is surreal,” said the 30-year-old.