Matsuyama, Im lurk as Cam Smith leads Sentry TOC in Hawaii

From a Correspondent

Kapalua. Hawii: Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama turned in a sizzling second round of 8-under 65 to climb into contention at the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Friday.

The 29-year-old hit one eagle and seven birdies, including four in a row on the back nine to tie for fifth place at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui in the PGA Tour’s first tournament of 2022.

Matsuyama’s 12-under total was matched by Korea’s, Sungjae Im who had a second straight 6-under 67 while Si Woo Kim was two strokes back in joint eighth on 10-under after an impressive 65.

Despite two opening bogeys, Australia’s Cameron Smith held a three-shot halfway lead on 17-under following a superb 64 while world no. 1 Jon Rahm and Daniel Berger were tied second, three shots behind.

Adored at home for his success on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama reached dizzying heights in 2021 when he became the first Asian to win the Masters Tournament last April for his first major title.

He then earned his seventh Tour victory with a popular home triumph at the Zozo Championship in October.

He has shown little rust in Maui so far despite playing only three rounds in the past month.

On a roll

Matsuyama eagled the fifth hole from seven feet and hit it to inside of three feet from 13 to 15 before rattling home a 21-footer on 16 for his final birdie to end his day on a high note.

“My short irons have been great so that’s why the scores have been okay,” said Matsuyama, currently fourth on the FedExCup 2021-22 ranking.

“I haven’t been practicing much so I didn’t really have high expectations but hopefully I can play well on the weekend.”

Making his third start at the champions-only event, Matsuyama finished tied fourth here in 2018 and had Filipino-Japanese female golf star, Yuka Saso amongst the fans following his group.

“Usually when I win, right away that’s something I think about, that I get to come here,” said Matsuyama.

“Last year I didn’t play well, but usually I play well here so hopefully I can play well on the weekend and be at the top of the leaderboard.

“If I can hit some good drives and make some putts I think I’ll be okay,” he said.

Clean round

Three-time Tour winner, Si Woo Kim of Korea, also carded a superb 65 which featured eight birdies against no bogeys as he moved into contention after 36 holes.

The 26-year-old closed with four straight birdies from inside of 12 feet to end his day on 10-under for the tournament. 

“I felt great today. Everything was good, I think. It was a little nervous yesterday because it was the first day of the first event this year, but I felt more comfortable today and I could get a better score,” said Kim.

“I think for this tournament, all champions come out to play and it’s fun and enjoyable.

“And this course is so beautiful. I enjoy being here. I hope to improve on my putting. I hit some solid shots yesterday but missed some putts. Today, I made some.”

Brisk start

On Thursday, Sungjae Im began his 2022 season with a 6-under 67 for tied fifth place.

The 23-year-old Asian star added four more birdies, including three in a row on his back nine to trail early leader Cameron Smith, who had two eagles and five birdies for his 65.

Fighting jetlag, Im opened with three pars before sinking putts of 11 feet and 10 feet for his birdie on 4 and eagle at the next hole to launch his quest for a third career victory on the PGA Tour.

“To be honest, I was quite nervous. It is the first event of the year and it’s nice to start with an eagle and birdie. I kept the flow on the back nine,” said Im.

He spent his off-season in Korea and arrived on Sunday for his second appearance in the Sentry Tournament of Champions where he finished equal fifth last year.

“I tried to concentrate a lot. I came to Hawaii last Sunday so I’m still a little jetlagged. I was focused on getting back my condition so it helped today. I have this flow going so I want to keep it going for the rest of the week,” said Im. (courtesy pgatour.com)

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