Matsuyama survives late to win FedEx St Jude championship – Golf News

Hideki Matsuyama nearly gave up a five-game lead before recovering to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of the PGA Tour's FedExCup season-ending events.

The Paris Olympics bronze medalist held a healthy lead before his challenge appeared to be slipping away as he lost four shots over four holes, including a shot into the water on the par-3 14th.

Matsuyama's miss allowed Viktor Hovland to take the lead before the Japanese rallied on the 17th with a 26-foot birdie putt to regain a one-shot lead with one hole to play.

A second-best shot on the par-four 18th found the green before a six-foot birdie putt secured the title at two in the opening leg of the PGA Tour's season-ending playoffs.

Matsuyama was playing at TPC Southwind without regular player Shota Hayafuki after his team was robbed while on vacation in London after the Olympics.

Although Matsuyama only lost his wallet, his caddy and coach both had their passports stolen and had to return to Japan to get new ones issued. Taiga Tabuschi, who plays for Rio Hisatsune, replaced Matuysama with Memphis and helped his interim manager to a $3.6m first prize in Memphis.

HOVLAND RETURNS TO FORM

Defending champion St. Jude Championship Hovland finished in a tie for second place with American world number two Xander Schauffele, who closed with a 63, 15 under par.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler finished fourth at 14 under in the event that featured the top 70 in the FedEx Cup points standings, with 50 advancing to the next round at the BMW Championship in Colorado.

Rory McIlroy managed to finish tied for 68th after back-to-back weekend rounds of 74 leaving him at +9 for the week, but he heads into the BMW Championship in fifth place in the FedExCup standings.

McIlroy was tied with Jordan Spieth, who announced he would be taking time off to undergo surgery on his left wrist, which has been bothering him all season.

With all points from FedEx St. Jude Championship, click here.