The stars were out in L.A., and it was Hideki Matsuyama who shined the brightest Sunday at the Genesis Invitational when a tight tournament suddenly turned into a runaway victory as Matsuyama made six birdies in an eight-hole span to shoot nine-under 62. He ended at 17-under-par total to top Will Zalatoris (69) and Luke List (68) by three shots. Matsuyama earned $4 million for his victory from the $20 million overall purse.
Matsuyama started the final round six shots behind leader Patrick Cantlay, who started the third round with a five-shot lead but shot 70-72 to tie for fourth place. This is Matsuyama's ninth victory on the PGA Tour, but his first in over two years. He had dropped to 55th in the world.
The separation for Matsuyama started on the 15th hole when he hit a laser approach to eight inches for a tap-in birdie. Then on the par-3 16th he hit an approach to six inches. Once he two-putted for birdie on the par-5 17th hole he had birdied three in a row for the third time and was well on his way to victory.
The week started with tons of hype, as only Los Angeles can produce. It was the first regular season tour event for Tiger Woods since he withdrew from the third round of Masters last April. It was a busy week for Woods before he even struck a competitive golf shot as he launched a new logo and apparel brand, Sun Day Red. On Wednesday, he played in the pro-am with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. But after opening with a 72, Woods withdrew during the second round from flu-like symptoms and was not on property for the rest of the week. He typically had presented the trophy to the winner.
Jordan Spieth was in conetention after two days but was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard. He signed for a 3 instead of a 4 and was sent packing.
Only 17 men were sent packing because of an oddity with how the cut worked this week. Justin Thomas and Wyndham Clark were among that group.
The West Coast swing is now complete. The tour saw an amateur win in Palm Springs, a Frenchman win for the first time on tour at Torrey Pines, rain issues at Pebble Beach and mayhem in Arizona last week that ended with Nick Taylor winning a playoff. Next week it's off to Mexico before spending a month in Florida.
Here is a prize money breakdown for everyone who made the cut this week at Riviera.
WIN: Hideki Matsuyama, -17/267, $4 million
T-2: Will Zalatoris, -14/270, $1.8 million
T-2: Luke List, -14/270, $1.8 million
T-4: Adam Hadwin, -13/271, $866,666.67
T-4: Patrick Cantlay, -13/271, $866,666.67
T-4: Xander Schauffele, -13/271, $866,666.67
7: Harris English, -12/272, $700,000
8: Tom Hoge, -11/273, $646,000
9: Jason Day, -9/275, $600,000
T-10: Tommy Fleetwood, -8/276, $455,000
T-10: Sam Burns, -8/276, $455,000
T-10: Scottie Scheffler, -8/276, $455,000
T-10: Eric Cole, -8/276, $455,000
T-10: Adam Svensson, -8/276, $455,000
T-10: J.T. Poston, -8/276, $455,000
T-16: Byeong Hun An, -7/277, $329,000
T-16: Max Homa, -7/277, $329,000
T-16: Cameron Young, -7/277, $329,000
T-19: Collin Morikawa, -6/278, $251,400
T-19: Ludvig Aberg, -6/278, $251,400
T-19: Viktor Hovland, -6/278, $251,400
T-19: Tony Finau, -6/278, $251,400
T-19: Adam Scott, -6/278, $251,400
T-24: Lee Hodges, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Tom Kim, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Rory McIlroy, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Christiaan Bezuidenhout, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Russell Henley, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Beau Hossler, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-24: Corey Conners, -5/279, $164,857.14
T-31: Taylor Moore, -4/280, $123,000
T-31: Seamus Power, -4/280, $123,000
T-31: Brendon Todd, -4/280, $123,000
T-31: Mackenzie Hughes, -4/280, $123,000
T-35: Rickie Fowler, -3/281, $106,500
T-35: Lucas Glover, -3/281, $106,500
T-37: Sahith Theegala, -2/282, $96,500
T-37: Ben Griffin, -2/282, $96,500
T-39: Nicolai Nojgaard, -1/283, $82,000
T-39: Gary Woodland, -1/283, $82,000
T-39: Denny McCarthy, -1/283, $82,000
T-39: Nick Taylor, -1/283, $82,000
T-39: Kurt Kitayama, -1/283, $82,000
T-44: Emiliano Grillo, E/284, $62,400
T-44: Andrew Putnam, E/284, $62,400
T-44: Si Woo Kim, E/284, $62,400
T-44: Singjae Im, E/284, $62,400
T-44: Brian Harman, E/284, $62,400
49: Cam Davis,+2/286, $54,000
50: Charley Hoffman, +4/288, $52,000
51: Chase Johnson, +5/289, $51,000
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