Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by BVN
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
Tiger Woods plays in his first 2024 PGA event, as Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama went low on Sunday, firing a nine under par 62 on a demanding Riviera course to become the first Japanese player to win the tournament at 17 under.
“Congratulations to Hideki on an incredible win at the Genesis Invitational,” said Tiger Woods.
Genesis tournament host Tiger Woods was forced to withdraw during his second round on Friday, due to a severe case of influenza. Woods has hosted the Genesis Tournament in recent years, the same course where he made his initial debut in 1992, at the age of 16.
“Congratulations to Hideki on an incredible win at the Genesis Invitational.”
Tiger Woods
After three rounds, former UCLA Bruin Patrick Cantlay led the field with a two-stroke lead over Will Zalatoris and Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele. Just behind the leaders, Luke List, Harris English, Jason Day, Adam Hadwin and eventual winner Hideki Matsuyama made their runs. World number one Scottie Scheffler and Murrieta’s Rickey Fowler who finished at (-3)
Matsuyama’s Sunday back nine was simply phenomenal, marked by bullseye iron play and unconscious putting on a course known for its historically difficult and deceptive greens. To put his final round in perspective, Hideki was a distant six strokes off the lead on hole 11, making a birdie on the 12th for his third in a row. He then birdied 15, 16 and 17 to post a 62, three shots clear of the field.
“To win this tournament was one of my goals when I turned professional and I am a little disappointed that Tiger Woods isn’t here to hand me the trophy,” said Hideki Matsuyama.
“To win this tournament was one of my goals when I turned professional and I am a little disappointed that Tiger Woods isn’t here to hand me the trophy.”
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama has overcome a recent back and a severe neck issue so painful that he didn’t know if he would play again. With the win, he jumped 35 spots on the world ranking list to 20th.
Chase Johnson, this year’s recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption, made the cut at +1 on Friday and played the weekend with the field. Since 2009, the exemption has been a unique effort by the PGA to support the diversity of the game.
“Chase earned the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption with his play over the past year,” Woods declared.
During the last APGA Tour season, Johnson played near the top of the leaderboard in all 11 tournaments, including three wins and seven second place finishes. “The best part is playing this historical course,” said Johnson, who compares the iconic fairway on 18 to an amphitheater.
Riviera’s subtle design dictates that players consistently put the ball into favorable positions on the fairways, although Chase met the challenge of the course all week, he reflected that his putting needs to be better on the tougher greens like this. Johnson returned to the APGA Tour this week to compete in the Cisco Black History Month Classic in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
“I really appreciate playing at Riviera and I will be back,” Johnson stated.