Matsuyama survives late lapse to win FedEx St Jude Championship

Hideki Matsuyama almost threw away five-shot lead before recovering to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of the PGA Tour’s end-of-season FedExCup eliminator events.

The Paris Olympics bronze medallist retained a healthy lead on the front nine before his challenge seemed to be slipping away as he lost four shots on a four-hole stretch, which included a tee shot into water on the par-3 14th.

Matsuyama’s lapse allowed Viktor Hovland to move in front before the Japanese player regained his composure on the 17th with a 26-foot birdie putt to retake the lead by one shot with one hole to play.

An excellent second shot on the par-four 18th found the green before a six-foot putt for birdie secured the title by two at the opening leg of the PGA Tour’s season-ending play-offs.

Matsuyama was playing at TPC Southwind without his usual caddie Shota Hayafuki after his team was robbed while on a stopover in London after the Olympics.

Although Matsuyama only lost his wallet, his caddie and coach both had their passports stolen and had to return to Japan to get new ones issued. Taiga Tabuschi, who caddies for Rio Hisatsune, stepped in to caddie for Matuysama and Memphis and helped his temporary boss to claim the $3.6m first prize in Memphis.

HOVLAND RETURNS TO FORM

St. Jude Championship defending champion Hovland finished tied for second with American world number two Xander Schauffele, who closed with a 63, on 15 under par.

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

Rory McIlroy could only finish tied 68th after consecutive weekend rounds of 74 left him on +9 for the week, but he progresses to the BMW Championship in fifth place in the FedExCup standings.

McIlroy was tied with Jordan Spieth, who announced that he is to take time off to undergo surgery on his left wrist, which has been giving him trouble all season.

For all the scores from the FedEx St. Jude Championship, click here.