Hideki Matsuyama etched his name into history at The Sentry tournament, shattering the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record with an incredible 35-under-par 257. The Japanese star outdueled Collin Morikawa at Kapalua’s Plantation Course in Hawaii to clinch his 20th worldwide title and 11th PGA Tour victory in style.
Key Highlights and Final Standings
- Champion: Hideki Matsuyama – 35-under 257
- Runner-Up: Collin Morikawa – 32-under 260
- Third Place: Im Sung-jae – 29-under 263
- Fourth Place: Jhonattan Vegas – 25-under 267
Matsuyama’s performance surpassed the previous record of 34-under 258 set by Cameron Smith in 2022, with a thrilling finish that included an eight-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
Duel with Morikawa
Matsuyama and Morikawa traded birdies throughout the final round. Matsuyama’s pivotal moment came at the par-3 12th, where he drained a 21-foot birdie putt to extend his lead. Despite Morikawa’s late surge, which included birdies at the 14th and 15th, Matsuyama’s approach to within four feet at the 16th sealed the deal.
“I knew Collin was going to play great today,” Matsuyama said through a translator. “I just kept the mindset of shooting 10-under.”
Notable Moments
- Early Eagle: Matsuyama holed out for eagle on the par-4 third hole from 107 yards, setting the tone for the round.
- Taylor Pendrith’s Albatross: Canada’s Pendrith made history with the first albatross in the tournament’s history, holing his second shot on the par-5 fifth.
- Scottie Scheffler Absent: The world No. 1 missed the event after a bizarre hand injury sustained during Christmas cooking.
What’s Next for Matsuyama?
This victory not only marks a historic milestone but also sets a strong foundation for the 2025 PGA season. Coming off a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and two tour wins last year, Matsuyama continues to demonstrate why he’s one of golf’s brightest stars.
Final Thoughts
With a record-breaking performance to start the season, Matsuyama’s journey in 2025 promises excitement and excellence. Will he continue this stellar form through the year? Golf fans are in for a treat.
