Matsuyama’s WMPO win was fittingly chaotic
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It wouldn’t be the Waste Management Phoenix Open without utter chaos. And not just from the crowd.
Just when it started to look like a runaway victory at the biggest party on the PGA Tour, someone at Buffalo Wild Wings must have hit that switch from the commercial, and suddenly, a golf tournament broke out.
It ended with Hideki Matsuyama topping Webb Simpson in a playoff that stretched four holes and into the first quarter of the Super Bowl for the second straight year. Last year the 24-year-old Japanese phenom beat Rickie Fowler in similar fashion.
“I really didn’t think I could do it, and it was a struggle all the way around,” Matsuyama said. “But I’m just thrilled to win.”
Not only did Matsuyama go back-to-back in Phoenix, but he also took back the unofficial “hottest player in the world” honors from Justin Thomas, who missed the cut this week.
Dating back to last October, Matsuyama now has three worldwide wins, including the HSBC-WGC and two runners-up.
“My hat’s off to him.” Simpson said in defeat. “He’s a great player. I knew he’d be a tough competitor in the playoff … he’s a great champion.”
They say golf is a game of inches. Maybe never more so than on Sunday at TPC Scottsdale.
| Matsuyama plans to keep riding momentum after WMPO win |
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