Hideki Matsuyama opened the new season with a record performance, though it was hard to tell from his emotions. He was a machine at The Sentry, with 35 holes at birdie or better to finish at 35-under par, both PGA Tour records.
He only broke into a wide smile when his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, spoke to him on the side of the 18th green Jan. 5 at The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii, after one final birdie gave Matsuyama the scoring records and a three-shot victory over Collin Morikawa.
“Otoshidama arigato gozaimasu,” Matsuyama said. The phrase translates roughly to thanks for a traditional Japanese gift to children in the new year for luck and prosperity. The 36-year-old won $3.6 million (\570 million) from his 11th career victory. He made only one bogey over the final 59 holes to finish at 35-under 257.
Matsuyama had only a few days of practice leading into the event because he was not feeling well, most recently with sores in his mouth. He decided on a whim to switch to a more center-shafted putter he received a few days after Christmas.
“I used the putter for the first (time) here,” Matsuyama said through his interpreter. Asked why that style of putter worked so well for him, he added, “I’m not sure, but it went in.” (AP)
毎週届く！
