Matsuyama edges Fowler in Phoenix
A par at the fourth play-off hole was enough for Japan's Hideki Matsuyama to claim victory over Rickie Fowler at the Phoenix Open on Sunday.
Back-to-back birdies to finish a round of 67 saw Matsuyama join Fowler on 14-under for the tournament and send the action at TPC Scottsdale to a play-off.
Both players went par-birdie-par to begin the play-off before Fowler bogeyed the fourth play-off hole after finding the water to the left of the 17th for the ninth time in his career and the second time in an hour, leaving Matsuyama to two-putt for victory from five feet.
It was an all too familiar tale for Fowler who was forced into the play-off after blowing a two-shot lead on his first visit to the 17th when he hammered a driver through the green and into the water.
While world number four Fowler went bogey-birdie to round of his regulation 18 holes for the day, Matsuyama notched up back-to-back birdies to give himself the chance of claiming a second PGA Tour victory, one he duly took in front of another large crowd following on from Saturday's world record attendance of 201,003.
Matsuyama's first Tour victory also came courtesy of a play-off, when he downed Kevin Na at The Memorial in 2014.
Harris English finished two shots off the pace in third after a closing round of 66 which included four birdies in the opening six holes.
Overnight leader Danny Lee headed into the final day in Arizona with a three-shot lead, but was left to rue a poor start which saw him take the turn in three-over, a stutter from which he was unable to fully recover, eventually finishing three strokes back.
Latest
-
NewsMasters day three: Hideki Matsuyama out in front after weather-affected Saturday
The chasing pack on seven under includes Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Marc Leishman and Will Zalatoris.
-
NewsJapan’s Hideki Matsuyama four shots clear headed into final round at Augusta
The 29-year-old completed the first bogey-free round of the week on Saturday.
-
NewsJustin Rose leads by one shot as bad weather halts play at Augusta
The hooter sounded to call the players and spectators off the course due to an approaching thunderstorm.
-
NewsJustin Rose battling history and Masters specialist Jordan Spieth at Augusta
The Englishman has finished second twice at Augusta National.
-
NewsWATCH: Masters mishaps and second-round fails!
Even the best players in the world are capable of looking a little bit silly.
-
NewsMasters day two: Justin Rose takes one-shot lead into the weekend
Defending champion Dustin Johnson missed the halfway cut along with Rory McIlroy.
-
NewsJustin Rose maintains narrow lead as Dustin Johnson bows out at Augusta
Rose heads into the weekend with a one-shot lead after carding a second-round 72.
-
NewsRory McIlroy encouraged to take a break as early Masters exit beckons
McIlroy has not won a major championship since 2014.
-
NewsJustin Rose maintains lead at Masters after stuttering start
At seven under par, Rose was two shots ahead of 2015 champion Jordan Spieth and Australia’s Marc Leishman.
-
NewsJustin Rose fights back to stay on top at the Masters
The Englishman made three late birdies to fire a level-par 72.