Typhoon Hideki hit the field Sunday at the WGC’s HSBC Champions event.
Hideki, as in Matsuyama, finished off a dominating week in Shanghai and set WGC history in the process, becoming the first Asian player to win one of those events.
Matsuyama’s 66 on Sunday gave him a runaway victory. He shot 23-under par for the event, just a shot off Dustin Johnson’s tournament record 24-under.
“He was brilliant, no weaknesses the last two days. He made it look very easy,” said the defending champion, Russell Knox, who had no chance of catching the 54-hole leader. In fact, Knox, perhaps overwhelmed by Matsuyama’s brilliance, shot a final round 74 that dropped him all the way back into a tie for ninth.
With his retreat, Henrik Stenson and Daniel Berger moved right up the leaderboard to finish 16-under and tie for second. Stenson had the best effort of the final round, a seven-under par 65 at Sheshan International Golf Club while Berger closed with 69.
Rory McIlroy’s 66 jumped him to 15-under and earned him a tie for fourth with Bill Haas.
But no one could match Matsuyama over the final two days. In fact, Matsuyama played the final 45 holes without a bogey. To start things off on Sunday, he hit his approach to four-feet at the first hole and made birdie to send an instant message to his pursuers.
This win will move Matsuyama up in the world rankings, he’ll jump to No. 6.
It was his third PGA Tour win and his 10th professional win in his young career.
