“Gritty Matsuyama Grabs Thin Advantage Over Star-Rising Morikawa on Sunny Sentinel Station Links”
The Stripe Show at Kapalua: Matsuyama and Morikawa Dominate
The PGA Tour opener at Kapalua Plantation Course saw Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa putting on a stunning show, shooting an 11-under 62 to take the lead. The fragile course, with almost no wind on the west side of Maui, became a target practice for the world’s top golfers, marked by the widest fairways on the PGA Tour.
Matsuyama, who made an eagle not far from the 18th green, had a chance to tie the course record, shooting two putts for birdie and maintaining a one-shot lead over Morikawa. Morikawa made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 final hole, and a 25-foot eagle putt on the fifth hole, showcasing his excellent shooting ability.
Throughout the round, Matsuyama and Morikawa remained neck-and-neck, with Matsuyama eventually taking the lead after a par-4 14th hole where he chipped to 3 feet for birdie, while Morikawa drove into the bunker and missed the birdie putt from 10 feet.
On the par-16 hole, Morikawa hit a wedge shot that was just 20 inches from the hole, while Matsuyama followed up with a wedge shot to the back of the green, spinning it just enough to follow the grain and slope to 8 inches. This dominant performance by the two golfers marked a two-man show, with Matsuyama ultimately shooting 27-under 192, a 54-hole record at Kapalua Plantation Course.
The Average Score: 67.49, a Record
Thomas Detry shot a 65 and lost, while Sungjae Im also shot 62. The average score of 67.49 is another record since the event moved to Kapalua in 1999. Detry shot 8 under but didn’t feel like he played out of this world, saying, “I shot 8 under today, but I didn’t really feel like I was 8 under. At other courses, when you shoot 8 under, you really feel like, ‘Oh, yeah, I played unreal golf here.’ I just felt like I played some really consistent golf.”
Conclusion:
The Stripe Show at Kapalua has set the bar high for the rest of the season, with Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa putting on a dominant display of golf. The fragile course, with its wide fairways, proved to be a perfect fit for the world’s top golfers, and it will be exciting to see how they continue to perform throughout the season.
FAQ:
Q: Who took the lead in the PGA Tour opener at Kapalua?
A: Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa took the lead, shooting an 11-under 62.
Q: What was Matsuyama’s score at the end of the 54-hole record at Kapalua Plantation Course?
A: Matsuyama shot 27-under 192.
Q: Who lost despite shooting a 65?
A: Thomas Detry lost despite shooting a 65.
Q: What was the average score at the event?
A: The average score was 67.49, a record since the event moved to Kapalua in 1999.
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