Hideki Matsuyama takes big lead going into final stretch at Hero World Challenge
The 24-year-old Hideki Matsuyama spectacularly eagled the par-four seventh when his 80-yard approach took one bounce and landed in the cup on his way to a seven-under 65 at the Albany course on the island of New Providence and a commanding seven-stroke lead.
Hard work and an “extreme inordinate amount of patience”, which Tiger Woods laughed isn’t a quality he’s known for, got him back. Another factor, perhaps not fully understood outside, is support from the fraternity.
“It’s hard to fathom how many of the players have rallied and offered advice. I’ve a lot more friends out here than I thought,” he said.
Hideki Matsuyama, who Tiger terms as a “kid who can really move the golf ball and thinks his way around the course”, came on board and spoke about how “we help each other out and why it’s a big family”.
Like Tiger, the world No 6 has been doing his bit --- working on course management and telling himself “golf isn’t that difficult and to take one shot at a time”. It has uncomplicated the perspective and resulted in three big-ticket wins in four starts before the Hero World Challenge.
Taken aback by his performance at the Championship Golf Course after last year’s poor finish, the 24-year-old sits on a seven-shot cushion, yet as part of the new outlook is not looking at the lead. He would like to stay “fearful” of the field, the others and Tiger, who was commended despite slipping after a phenomenal start to Saturday. This helps Matsuyama keep the head down and grind it out.
For one who turned pro just three years back, the mind’s obviously in place, it’s putting that’s added a dimension to the game. Watching him on the greens at the Deutsche Bank Championship in early September, fellow Japanese Hiroshi Iwata came forward. A two-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, the 35-year-old knows a thing or two about precision. The results were not immediate but a look at Matsuyama’s statistics reveals the steady improvement.
This week, putting hasn’t been up to expectations, at 19-under 197, Jordan’s Spieth’s tournament record of 26-under 262 is within sight, but holing a lot of 18-20 footers has helped his cause.
The benevolence extends beyond advice. Without a caddie this week, Iwata offered his manager-cum-caddie on the PGA Tour this week, saving him some bother. The association has been fruitful as Matsuyama spoke about how the two put their heads together when he missed some shots. The conversations helped and he went on to create birdie opportunities, which were converted. “I feel lucky till now.”
Save for gratitude, Matsuyama has nothing to offer, but hoped Iwata, who shot a 63 in the second round at last year’s PGA Championship, is able to regain full status on the PGA Tour. “He has the ability to compete with the best of us.”