Hideki Matsuyama Wins FedEx St. Jude Championship, Secures Top Spot in FedEx Cup Standings

Hideki Matsuyama has done it again, claiming his second win of the season at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The Japanese golfer held on to his five-shot lead to win by two strokes, securing his spot at the top of the FedEx Cup standings.

Matsuyama’s victory was not without its challenges. He stumbled late in the game, going 4-over in a four-hole stretch, which dropped him behind Viktor Hovland and opened the door for the rest of the field. However, he managed to find his putter again at the 17th hole, sinking a 26-footer for birdie to retake the lead. He then added a birdie at the 18th hole to close out his even-par 70 and secure the win.

The win marked Matsuyama’s 10th on the PGA Tour and his second of the season, following his comeback win at The Genesis Invitational in February. He entered the week at No. 12 in the Official World Golf Rankings and at No. 8 in the FedEx Cup standings, which had him safely into the BMW Championship, which begins Thursday.

Matsuyama’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. He had to spend the tournament with a replacement caddie after his original caddie, Shota Hayafuji, lost his passport and visa in a robbery in London. Hayafuji was cleared to return to the United States and will be on the bag for Matsuyama in Colorado this coming week.

Xander Schauffele, who won the British Open earlier this season, finished in second place with Hovland at 15-under, while Scheffler finished alone in fourth at 14-under. Scheffler will enter next week with a nearly 1,500-point lead in the FedEx Cup standings.

Matsuyama’s win has pushed him to No. 3 in the standings heading into the BMW Championship, which begins Thursday. The top 50 golfers in the standings will qualify for the second playoff stop, and then the top 30 will advance to the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

In his post-win interview, Matsuyama said, “I knew I still had two holes left, and that was just what I was thinking, ‘Two more holes. I’ve got to make one birdie.'” He also credited his putting, saying, “On that putt, I drew from this entire week’s putting on the greens. I putted well all week, and I thought, well, I did it before, let’s do it again.”

Matsuyama’s win is a testament to his determination and skill on the golf course. He has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with, and his victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship is a significant milestone in his career.