Matsuyama wins in Phoenix after playoff

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama triumphed the Waste Management Phoenix Open for the second consecutive year after defeating Webb Simpson at the fourth play-off hole on Sunday at TPC Scottsdale.
Matsuyama won it after sinking a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th, the same hole where the 24-year-old beat Rickie Fowler exactly a year earlier.
The playoff came about after Simpson birdied the 15th, 17th and 18th holes to shoot the lowest round of the final day with a 64. Matsuyama closed out his round with three pars for a five-under par 66.
Overnight leader Byeong Hun An collapsed after making four bogeys on the back nine to card a 73 and finish in sixth place on 14 under.
Matsuyama’s victory was his second PGA title this season and fourth in total. The win was his fifth in the last three and a half months worldwide.
The playoff was a tight affair, with Matsuyama and Simpson hitting pars on the first three extra holes that saw them play the 18th twice and the 10th before heading over to the 17th.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen finished in third place at 16 under after shooting a 65 that included three birdies in the last five holes.
Rickie Fowler shot a 65 to finish at 15 under alongside J.J. Spaun.
Three-time winner Phil Mickelson shot a 71 that saw him finish tied for 16th at 10 under. It was an up-and-down round for the 1996, 2005 and 2013 winner that included six birdies (four on the front nine), four bogeys and a double on 17.
Latest
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
News
Westwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.
-
News
Xander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
News
After years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
News
What to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.
-
News
Organisers delay ticketing process for 2021 Masters as another fan shutout looms
Augusta National Golf Club is considering its options before making a call on 2021 Masters.