Hideki Matsuyama

Matsuyama opened 74-70 but blitzed TPC Sawgrass over the weekend. He raced out with seven birdies on his first 13 holes before stumbling with a double bogey at the 14th as well as a closing bogey at the 18th. He had no problems racking up birdies this week, posting 22 birdies which matched the best in the field this week while also landing an eagle (round 2). Avoiding errors didn't come so easy as he squared nine bogeys and a trio of doubles. This could still be a nice confidence-boosting week for Matsuyama who arrived off back-to-back missed cuts. This will go in the books as his third top 10 in eight tries at THE PLAYERS. 

Matsuyama made waves out of the gate today with a 6-under 30 including four straight birdies before the turn. Then, he saved par from 27 feet at the 10th but wasn't able to build on that clutch par-saver, ending his week with three bogeys and five pars. While it wasn't the final nine holes that he wanted, there is still plenty of positive to take out of San Diego. Playing his seventh event of the season, this will go in the books as his first top 20. He battled injuries for much of 2022 but could use this as a jumpstart to get him back into form. The WM Phoenix Open should be the next stop for Matsuyama where he happens to be a two-time champ.

Matsuyama has been slowed in his title defense this week at Narashino CC, playing his first two rounds in Even despite relatively easy scoring conditions. The former Masters champ finally found his footing in the third round, with five birdies against one bogey to shoot a 66 that lifted him 18 spots up the leaderboard. He's still well off the pace, T-31 and 10 shots behind Rickie Fowler, but his Saturday form (including three birdies over his final seven holes) was more reminiscent of the player who cruised to a five-shot win at this event a year ago.

The score marked the first time in 13 career rounds in this event that Matsuyama, a winner by five shots a year ago, failed to break par. At 1 over he is T-41 among the 78-man field, seven shots behind overnight leader Brendan Steele. Matsuyama managed only two birdies on the day and squared three bogeys, including one on his second hole of the day (No. 11) that set the tone for his opener. The former Masters champ finished T-25 in Napa in his most recent start but now has ground to make up to retain any chances of going back-to-back like he did at TPC Scottsdale in 2016-17.