[ODDS and EVENS] Hideki Matsuyama Savors Victory in the FedEx Cup Opener

For Hideki Matsuyama, August 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most eventful months in his professional golf career.

The Ehime Prefecture native earned the bronze medal in the men's golf tournament at the Paris Olympics on August 4, carding a 5-under 65 in the final round.

Two weeks later, Matsuyama triumphed in the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. He carded a 17-under 263 to win the opening event of the FedEx Cup playoffs, aka the PGA Tour's postseason playoff competition, by two strokes over Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland.

Matsuyama's path to his 10th PGA Tour title began with a 6-under 65 in the first round and back-to-back 64s in the second and third rounds. He took a five-stroke lead into the last round on Sunday, August 18.

Indeed, he was in an advantageous position, but it wasn't an insurmountable lead. 

Golf can frustrate and humble its best practitioners in a hurry.

Bogeys on the 12th and 14th holes and a double bogey on the 15th hole on Sunday contributed to his five-stroke lead in the final round vanishing. He later described that stretch of the final round as "agonizing."

But Matsuyama bounced back with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18 holes. He regained the lead with a 26-foot birdie putt on the penultimate hole. And he closed out the tournament with an impressive second shot on the par-4 18th, driving it onto the green before tapping in the putt.

Looking Back at His Victory in Memphis

Matsuyama later recounted the pressure-packed sequence that played out over the final four holes.

"After the 14th hole, I was still two up, but I knew Viktor and Xander were playing [holes] 15 [and] 16 ahead of me," he told reporters. "I figured they would both get to 16-under. So when I was playing the 16th hole and looked at the scoreboard, sure enough, they were both at 16-under and I was a stroke back.

"I felt today's victory slipping away at that point because 17 and 18 are difficult holes enough, let alone to birdie them. But I was fortunate enough to birdie 17. Immediately I thought, oh, man, this is going to be a tough tee shot at 18. I've got to keep it in the fairway. I'm grateful I was able to do it."

Gratitude and a $3.6 million USD (roughly ¥525 million JPY) paycheck are linked to Matsuyama's work week at TPC Southwind.

Seventy PGA golfers qualified to compete in the FedEx Cup based on points accumulated throughout the season. For the BMW Championship (August 22-25) at Castle Pines Golf Club near Denver, Colorado, the field was reduced to 50. The Tour Championship, starting on August 28, wraps up the FedEx Cup with a field of 30 golfers vying for the postseason title at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Perspective from His Final-Round Playing Partner

Nick Dunlap and Matsyama had the same tee times for the final round. They represented the 35th and final two-man group to play. After it was over, Dunlap spoke about his impressions of Matsuyama's poise on the final day despite his struggles in the fourth round.

"He just never seemed to let it get to him. It was really impressive," PGA rookie Dunlap said. "That's why he's got a green jacket [for winning the Masters in 2021] and a ton of other things. It was definitely cool for me to watch. He deserves it, he was impressive all day."

That performance produced Matsuyama's second title of 2024. He also won the Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California, on February 18 with regular caddie Shota Hayafuji.

Stolen Belongings in London

A change of plans ― a change of caddies ― was needed due to unforeseen circumstances in London.

Before returning to the United States after the Olympics, Matsuyama, Hayafuji and coach Mikihito Kuromiya were in the British capital having dinner when a bag containing personal items was stolen. 

They discovered that Matsuyama's wallet was gone, but his passport and Olympic bronze medal weren't in the stolen bag. Hayafuji and Kuromiya lost their passports and visas, forcing them to return to Japan to fill out paperwork.

"It was an unfortunate situation," Matsuyama said, according to Sports Illustrated after the first round of the St Jude Championship.

He added, "We're trying hard now to get their visas back in line, and hopefully we can join up as a team as soon as possible."

In Hayafuji's absence, Taiga Tabuchi stepped in as a fill-in caddie. Tabuchi is the regular caddie for Ryo Hisatsune, 21, who didn't qualify for the FedEx Cup (he's 84th in points).

Thus, Tabuchi was available.

And he was excited and honored to fill in for Hayafuji.

"It's been awesome, just being with him," Tabuchi told the PGA Tour website. He added, "I'm just happy to be next to him, and just walking with him."

Caddying for Matsuyama was not a burden, Tabuchi insisted. 

"I mean, actually, I'm doing nothing," said Tabuchi. "I'm just next to him, carrying the bag, he does everything. Ryo texted me before the week, and he said, 'Just learn from Hideki and be a better caddie.' "

Productive Teamwork

After the St Jude Championship wrapped up, Matsuyama commented on working with Tabuchi for the first time.

"On the course, you have a routine, but with a new caddie, that routine changes, and so we were working through that all week," Matsuyama told reporters. "But he was a great help to me. Helped me read a lot of putts. A lot of good lines that he gave me."

And Hideki Matsuyama achieved a goal by claiming the St Jude Championship winner's trophy. 

"I'm especially happy to be able to win one of the FedExCup playoff series tournaments," Matsuyama commented. 

He then said, "I've tried hard for 10 years, and it's a great feeling of satisfaction to finally be able to have done it."

RELATED:

• Hideki Matsuyama Claims Olympic Golf Bronze with a Final-Round 65
• [ODDS and EVENS] Hideki Matsuyama Returns to Winning Form at the Genesis Invitational

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.