Hideki Matsuyama shoots 62, surges to victory at Genesis

Field Level Media|published: Sun 18th February, 18:21 2024

Feb 18, 2024; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays on the third hole during the final round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riveria Country Club. credits: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Hideki Matsuyama fired a bogey-free, 9-under 62 — one shy of tying the record at Riviera Country Club — to overtake the field and win the Genesis Invitational by three strokes on Sunday in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

The Japanese pro began the day six shots off Patrick Cantlay's lead but zipped up the leaderboard with three-birdie runs at Nos. 1-3, 10-12 and 15-17. He entered the clubhouse at 17-under 267 for the week, and no one from the pack of remaining contenders could catch him.

Matsuyama, 31, had not won on tour since January 2022 and slipped to No. 55 in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 2021 Masters remains the crowning achievement of his career, but by winning the third signature event of the season, Matsuyama earns a $4 million payday and 700 FedEx Cup points.

Will Zalatoris had his most successful week yet since returning from an extended absence after undergoing back surgery. Zalatoris at one point held sole possession of the lead at 15 under, but went 1 over for his final five holes to shoot a 69 and tie for second with Luke List (68) at 14 under.

Cantlay led after each of the first three rounds but opened his final trip around the course with nine straight pars. A drive into the bunker at the par-4 10th led to a bogey, and although he erased that with a birdie at the next hole, he faltered down the stretch with two more bogeys.

But Cantlay finished on a strong note, draining a 50-foot birdie at the last hole to salvage a 1-over 72 and finish at 13 under, tying for fourth with Xander Schauffele (70) and Canada's Adam Hadwin (65).

—Field Level Media