Napoleon had Waterloo.
Rickie Fowler has the 17th at TPC Scottsdale.
Hideki Matsuyama walked away with the Phoenix Open title on Sunday and he can thank the 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
Domo Arigato!
That’s a “thank-you very much” to Rickie Fowler in Japanese.
Fowler seemed to have the tournament in control, he had fought off a host of challengers on the back nine and he went to the 17th tee with a two-shot lead over Matsuyama, the player closest to him.
That’s when Fowler made a huge tactical error. He went with driver off the tee on the short, 322-yard par four that was playing just 315 yards on Sunday.
Fowler’s drive was straight and true but too hot. It hit just short, then rolled the length of the green, all the way down the back of the green and into the water behind. Four shots later Fowler walked off with a bogey, Matsuyama made birdie and the lead was gone.
Just like that.
Both birdied the 18th to shoot 67 and post 14-under par, forcing the playoff. After two trips down 18 without a decision, they headed over to the 10th and both made par then it was back to the 17th.
Fowler went for the three-wood but hooked it into the water left of the green and made his second bogey of the day, handing the title to Matsuyama.
Domo Arigato, Fowler-san.
It was Matsuyama’s second PGA Tour win.
For Fowler, it would have set up a huge season and it still may well be.
As long as he doesn’t have to play 17 again this year.
