The Sentry day two leader Hideki Matsuyama of Japan in action at the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Friday. Image courtesy PGA Tour/Getty Images.
By Rahul Banerji
Hideki Matsuyama continued his early season run of form to take the halfway lead at The Sentry in Hawaii on Friday, keeping up a push to begin his 2025 PGA Tour campaign on a winning note.
The 32-year-old had reason to be happy at the Plantation Course at Kapalua as he sank eighth birdies in a bogey-free second round of 65 and a 16-under total to lead from fellow major winner Collin Morikawa (65) in the season-opening $20 million Signature event.
Morikawa followed his opening 66 with an 8 under card on Friday to keep the pressure on Matsuyama.
Corey Conners (66-66), Maverick McNealy (68-64), overnight leader Tom Hoge (64-68) and Thomas Detry (67-65) were tied for third place on 14 under 132.
Matsuyama was disappointed he didn’t go lower, making pars on three of the par-5s, including a three-putt on the 18th hole, the PGA Tour said.
“There was frustration, but I’m definitely satisfied with where I am,” said Matsuyama, who earned his seventh career 36-hole lead/co-lead on Tour.
Matsuyama’s accurate iron play saw him convert six birdies from inside of eighth feet while he drained a 35-footer on the par-3 11th hole with the new putter he put into his bag this week.
Disappointing miss
The Japanese star though missed a four-foot birdie chance on the last. Asked if he would keep the new flatstick, Matsuyama, who has three other putters in his locker, said: “I don’t know. Might not be good to get used to it, so we’ll see how that goes.
“I was able to add on and play well, and so just everything was okay.”
The tenacious Japanese has established himself as the most successful Asian golfer on the PGA Tour with 10 career titles, which included two victories last season, and he will be keen to add to his tally in Hawaii where he also won the Sony Open in 2022.
Matsuyama’s back-to-back 65s also saw him equal his second-lowest 36-hole score, and was one shy of his career-best 129 he opened with en route to victory at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship last August.
“Obviously the views are beautiful here, I haven’t played well here (Kapalua) in a while, so it’s good to get off to a good start. I just have to believe I’m in good shape and ready to go, so that’s where I’m at,” said Matsuyama, who registered top-5s at The Sentry in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Korea’s Sungjae Im recovered from a rocky start to fire eight birdies at The Sentry on Friday. Image courtesy PGA Tour/Getty Images,
Fighting back
After starting his second round with two bogeys in his first three holes, Korea’s Sungjae Im fought back with eight birdies to post a 67 and will enter the weekend rounds six off the pace.
The two-time winner has three top-10s in four starts at The Sentry, and is ready to add another top finish this week.
“I didn’t play well from the start. But I think I gradually found my game and was able to make a lot of birdies. I had four birdies in a row on the back nine, so I think I was able to finish well,” said the Korean.
“I think it’s a course where you can make a lot of birdies if the wind isn’t blowing. The tee shots are a little easier than other courses, and the greens are a little softer, so I think you can make 10 birdies if you’re in good shape.
“I’m still in a good position, so I’m going to focus a little bit more this weekend.”
OTT platform FanCode has meanwhile signed a two-year deal to telecast action from the PGA Tour exclusively starting with the ongoing event in Hawaii.
Also read: Matsuyama makes a fast start to his 2025 season at The Sentry
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