Hideki Matsuyama managed to secure a two-shot victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship despite losing a five-shot lead in just four holes. Matsuyama finished with an even-par 70 after responding with crucial birdies on two challenging holes to clinch the win in Memphis, Tennessee.
The start of the PGA Tour’s postseason was filled with suspense, not only at the top of the leaderboard but also in determining the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup who would advance. Nick Dunlap went from potential victory to requiring his best drive to prolong his season, ultimately succeeding with a clutch performance. On the other hand, Tom Kim saw his season end due to a disappointing finish on his card.
Xander Schauffele made an impressive comeback starting nine shots behind and managed to stay in contention for a playoff spot. Viktor Hovland briefly held a one-shot lead with two holes remaining before Hideki Matsuyama took charge of the tournament.
Matsuyama, who held a substantial lead at the beginning of the day, went 27 consecutive holes without a bogey before encountering difficulties. Despite a turbulent four-hole stretch, Matsuyama’s stellar putting throughout the week helped him secure the victory with a total score of 17-under 263.
Notably, Matsuyama’s win earned him $3.6 million and propelled him from No. 8 to No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings. This triumph marked Matsuyama’s second victory of the year, following his win at the Genesis Invitational. Despite facing challenges such as losing personal belongings during a trip, Matsuyama persevered and delivered a remarkable performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship also saw some players making critical moves to secure their spots in the top 50. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley clinched the final spot, while others like Viktor Hovland, Nick Dunlap, and Eric Cole managed to advance into the coveted top 50 positions. However, players such as Tom Kim, Mackenzie Hughes, and Jake Knapp fell out of the top 50 due to the tournament’s outcomes.
