Hideki Matsuyama outlasted Rickie Fowler at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in what turned out to be a four-hole playoff after the two tied at 14-under par for the tournament. After trading pars on the first playoff hole, birdies on the second and pars on the third, a par for Matsuyama on the 17th hole was enough to hold off Fowler who found the greenside pond off of the tee. The win was Matsuyama’s second on the PGA Tour and first since the 2014 Memorial.
What’s In The Bag
Driver: Srixon ZR-30 (8.5°, Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 8TX shaft)
Fairway woods: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2 (15°, Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 9TX shaft)
Hybrid: Honma TW727 (19°, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shaft)
Irons: Srixon Z945 (4-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue shafts)
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 (52°, 56°, 60°, True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue shafts)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS
Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV
Most Valuable Club: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS
Whenever Matsuyama finds himself in contention, it’s because he has the putter working. A consummate ball striker, Matsuyama gained more than 1.6 strokes per round on the field on the greens last week. Add to the conversation the clutch putts he made down the stretch, including the 15-footer to force the playoff, which he called “the best putt I ever made in my life,” and you have your MVC.
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(Info via GolfWRX)
