PACIFIC PALISADES — Fueled by one of the greatest final rounds in the history of the Genesis Invitational, Hideki Matsuyama rallied from six shots back on Sunday to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational.
Matsuyama’s 9-under 62 tied a 62-year record for the lowest final-round shot by a tournament winner. Phil Rodgers shot a final round 62 to win the 1962 tournament.
The former Masters Champion is the first player from Japan to win at Riviera. It is Matsuyama’s ninth PGA Tour win, giving him the most PGA Tour wins by an Asian player, breaking a tie with K.J. Choi who won eight PGA tournaments during his career.
Will Zalatoris and Luke List finished in a tie for second at 14 under, three shots behind Matsuyama. Former UCLA standout Patrick Cantlay, who led over the first 54 holes, had a difficult final round, posting a 1-over 72 that left him in a three-way tie for fourth at 13 under with San Diego native Xander Schauffele and Adam Hadwin.
At one point early in the on the back nine five players were tied for the lead at 14 under before Matsuyama put his foot on the gas pedal, making three consecutive birdies on 15-16-17 to run away from the field and win going away.
Matsuyama’s second shot on the par-4 15th hole from 184 yards was executed to perfection, with ball ending up just inches from the cup. A few minutes later he hit a nearly identical shot on the par-3, 16th with his tee shot coming to rest a foot from the cup. Matsuyama locked up the win with his ninth birdie of the day on the par-5, 17th hole.
“To win in this tournament was one of my goals ever since I became pro,” Matsuyama said. “After Tiger being the host, that goal became a lot more bigger. A little disappointed that I wasn’t able to take a picture with Tiger today (Woods was at him battling the flu that forced him to withdraw during Friday’s round). Reaching nine wins was one of my big goals.”
While Matsuyama’s played well tee to green over the course of the…
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