Matsuyama makes late run as Scheffler wins Players C’ship

From a Correspondent

Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida: Hideki Matsuyama brought in a career-best fifth place finish at the Players Championship on Sunday as American Scottie Scheffler carved out a five-stroke victory.

Matsuyama (74-70-67-68) entered the week seeking a return to form at TPC Sawgrass and he produced a barnstorming four-under 68 in the final round to end on nine-under 279.

Scheffler claimed his first Players title to join Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to hold the Masters Tournament and Players titles at the same time.

With his second title of the season, Scheffler also regained the world no. 1 ranking from Jon Rahm of Spain.

Holding a two-shot overnight lead, Scheffler closed with a 69 in tough conditions for a winning total of 17-under, well clear of England’s Tyrrell Hatton (72-71-68-65), who carded a 65 highlighted by a record-tying 29 in his inward nine.

Viktor Hovland (69-71-70-68) and Tom Hoge (78-68-62-70) shared third place on 10-under in the $25 million showpiece.

Matsuyama, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, began the final round some nine shots off the pace but he brilliantly powered into contention with seven birdies over his opening 13 holes as Scheffler (68-69-65-69) stuttered early on.

Heavy price

His title charge however came undone with a costly double bogey on 14 after he misjudged an approach shot.
“The second shot was tough as the wind was blowing from left and from the right, and I wasn’t sure,” said Matsuyama, who now has three top-10s at the Players in eight appearances.

“The shot I played was not with the wind direction I thought.

“On 12 or 13, I think I was one back. I had a lot of momentum going but I didn’t finish the way I wanted to. 15, 16 and 17 were all birdie holes, and I was still in it. 

“I think I played well but I definitely could have done better coming in over the last four or five holes. 

“The fact I hit some great shots and great putts will be something I can take with me moving forward. I will also look back on the last five holes where I struggled and think about areas I can improve from that.”

Korea’s Sungjae Im also enjoyed his career best outing at TPC Sawgrass after a closing 72 saw him finish tied sixth on eight-under while 2017 champion Si Woo Kim settled for a share of 27^th place after a 72.

Debutant Joohyung Kim carded his week’s best of 69 for T51.

Nervy start

Scheffler, 26, endured a nervous start with a bogey on the third but he turned on his class with five successive birdies around the turn.

That allowed him to enjoy the walk up to the 18^th green in front of large crowds that included his wife Meredith, 88-year-old grandmother Mary and other family members.

“Any time you can get mentioned in the same breath as Tiger and Jack. it’s very special. I’m very grateful for that,” said Scheffler, whose victory was his sixth career PGA Tour title coming across his last 27 starts

“I played really well the whole week, really solid. I had some times throughout week where I didn’t feel like I was swinging my best or playing at a hundred percent, and then I would just kind of wait and pick my moments.

“Fortunately, I got kind of hot in spurts in each of my rounds, whether it was my back nine in the first round or 8 through 12 this afternoon.

“I just found a way to choose my moments and get hot here and there and had four just really solid rounds.” (courtesy PGA Tour)

Also read: Kim eyes more records at Players Championship