From a Correspondent
Brookline, Massachusetts: Hideki Matsuyama secured his third top-10 finish at the US Open on Sunday behind England’s event winner Matthew Fitzpatrick.
It was the Japanese ace’s ninth such placing overall in the majors to cement his status as one of the world’s best golfers.
The 30-year-old, who won the 2021 Masters to become Japan’s first male major winner, saved his best for last.
Matsuyama had the week’s lowest round of 5-under 65 at the Country Club in Brookline to end the $12.5 million showpiece in a brilliant solo fourth.
Fitzpatrick (68-70-68-68) claimed his first major win following a pulsating one-stroke victory over Americans Will Zalatoris (69) and world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler (67).
The 27-year-old joined Jack Nicklaus as the only two golfers to have won the US Amateur and the US Open at the same venue, and the 13th overall to do so.
While Fitzpatrick won the amateur title in 2013 at the Country Club, Nicklaus did the double at Pebble Beach.
Golden footsteps
Tiger Woods won the US Amateur thrice in a row (1994 to 1996) and US Open in 2000, 2002 and 2008.
Fitzpatrick also became the first player to earn a maiden PGA Tour win in a major since Danny Willett at the 2016 Masters tournament and first to do so at the US Open since Graeme McDowell in 2010.
Matsuyama, ranked 13 in the world, rode a hot putter to chalk up five birdies against no bogeys to soar up the leaderboard and ended his week on 3-under 277, finishing three behind winner Fitzpatrick.
He was particularly pleased to maintain a fine record at the US Open where his two previous top-10 outings were achieved in 2013 (T10) and 2017 (T2).
The finish, which also marked his sixth top-10 placing on the Tour this season including two wins, propelled him to fifth on the FedEx Cup points list.
“I don’t feel like this is my 100 percent performance, but it does give me a boost in my confidence. So, I’ll try my best, try to connect this momentum to my next game, and I’ll be prepared for it,” said Matsuyama’s 65 also tied his low score at the 2017 US Open.
Day’s highlight
The highlight of his day was a birdie from 39 feet at the par-4 13th hole. The splendid effort came right after he drained a brilliant 28-footer at the par-4 12th.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner collected three other birdies from 6, 7 and 16.
“I feel like my putting helped me a lot. I was stroking the ball really well, rolling the ball really good. I think that really helped my game today.
“My shots were pretty decent too. I was able to target most of the greens. I wasn’t able to hit make birdies yesterday but I was able to get it today. So, I’m really happy with the round today.”
Matsuyama was quick to downplay the significance of his Masters victory last year and admitted consistency is one area he must work on if he is to become a major champion again.
“To be honest, I’m not really thinking about that. I’m just trying to play my best game always. So just keep on grinding and trying my best,” he said.
“If I can be a little bit greedy, I feel like, if I can play a little bit better on the first, second, and third day, that’s one of the things I’m working on, trying to be consistent for four days.”
Hanging tough
Fitzpatrick shot a second successive 68 to win by one stroke from Scheffler (70-67-71-67) and Zalatoris (69-70-67-69).
“Unbelievable. Yeah, it’s just — the feeling’s out of this world. It is so cliche, but it’s stuff you dream of as a kid.
“Yeah, to achieve it, I can retire a happy man tomorrow.”
Zalatoris also finished runner-up at his last major, the 2021 Masters tournament.
Korea’s Joohyung Kim finished 23rd after closing with a 70 while K.H. Lee settled for T37 after a 71.
Canadian Open winner Rory McIlroy (67-69-73-69) took tied fifth place with a 2-under 278 alongside Collin Morikawa (69-66-77-66). (courtesy pgatour.com)
Also read: Justin Thomas wins dramatic PGA C’ship, five years after first one
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.