“He tied Fowler on 13-under after an up-and-down birdie at the drivable par-4 17th and then delivered from 17’8″ at the par-4 18th but Fowler matched from 9’6”.
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The 17th hole is a drivable par 4, yet Fowler inexplicably drove it through the green and into the water leading to a bogey, while Matsuyama was making birdie.
Matsuyama chipped in for birdie on the par-4 14th and two-putted for birdie on 15.
Last year’s runner-up Matsuyama reigned supreme on Sunday, but world number four Fowler was left to rue two shots that found the water in Scottsdale.
Fowler missed a putt for par to allow Matsuyama two putts for victory from around 15 feet, and although he missed with his first effort, he tapped in for par to claim his second title on the PGA Tour.
“When I stepped out of the hotel this morning, it was gusty”, he said after taking his second Asian Tour title, according to quotes supplied by the event organisers. “To be honest, I never imagined I could win at the beginning of the week”. Less people, so it makes your life better.
Starting the day in fourth in front of a TPC Scottsdale record crowd estimated at 201,003, Matsuyama carded five birdies and two bogeys, leaving him in a tie with Rickie Fowler of the United States at 10-under-par 203.
Using a 3-wood on the hole in the playoff, he pulled his drive left into the water just short of the green.
“It’s gonna hurt”, said Fowler.
The man they all had to chase, though, was 25-year-old Lee, who was born in South Korea before moving to New Zealand at the age of eight.
With the victory, Matsuyama, who will move up from his world ranking of 19, put himself back into the conversation concerning the game’s best young players.
Andrade had a chance to win in regulation but missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
In a dramatic four-hole playoff, Matsuyama edged Fowler on Sunday to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
This would have been Fowler’s fourth PGA Tour win. “Then Rickie opened the door for me, and I was able to walk through it”.
Danny Lee, the 54-hole leader, struggled early and settled for fourth at 11 under.
Bryce Molder is one of two players a further shot back after he lit up “Moving Day” with a seven-under round of 64 which no-one bettered. Ko closed with a 75 and finished three shots behind.
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Phil Mickelson: It was a pretty good week for Lefty, who finished 8 under for the tournament.
