Japan's Hideki Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational after an incredible fightback in the final round. His nine-under 62 to secure victory was one shot shy of the course record at the Riviera Country Club.
Hear from the winner Matsuyama and Rory Mcilroy following the tournament with interviews from The PGA Tour.
Hear from the winner Matsuyama and Rory Mcilroy following the tournament with interviews from The PGA Tour.
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00:00 Japan's Hideki Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational after an incredible fight back in the final round.
00:09 His 9-under-62s to secure victory was one shot shy of the course record at the Riviera Country Club.
00:15 The 2021 Masters champion started the day six shots behind leader Patrick Cantlay,
00:21 but finished 17-under par to claim his ninth PGA Tour title.
00:25 62 is just one shot off the course record. It was the best round of the day by three shots.
00:30 To shoot 30 on the back nine, where does this rank among the best rounds that you've played in your career?
00:36 Speaking after his win, he said, "The majority of the time when I rate my round, it's usually my balls striking.
00:46 Today was an OK round, but I chipped and putted well today, so that gave me good momentum."
00:53 It's your ninth victory and you surpass K.J. Toi, break out of a tie as the winningest Asian player on the PGA Tour.
01:01 Just the significance of that and how meaningful that is to you.
01:04 He continued, speaking on the record of wins for an Asian player on the PGA Tour,
01:12 "Reaching nine wins was one of my big goals. After my eighth win, I had my back injury,
01:18 so there were a lot of times where I felt I wasn't going to get that ninth win,
01:23 but I'm really happy and I was able to win today to become the most decorated Asian player on the PGA Tour."
01:30 "I am certain that 2024 can be a year where I get myself back on track.
01:37 I want this to be a big year for myself and my team, and I've started as I mean to go on."
01:46 After a positive start to the year, world number two Rory McIlroy finished in joint 24th with a final round of 70.
01:54 The Northern Irishman said he's not quite where he wants to be,
01:57 but understands that the course can have a big impact on the smallest of imperfections.
02:03 "Those big numbers were with bad tee shots or bad approach.
02:12 I felt that the two numbers I made on Thursday were more around the greens,
02:16 sort of getting caught out with lies in the rough or in the bunker on 16,
02:20 getting a really awkward stance.
02:22 I missed approach shots to get to that point, but still felt like I was sort of caught out
02:30 by some awkward lies around the green more than anything else.
02:34 I probably wasn't fully in it, I guess.
02:41 I did some good work last week, my coach Michael Bannon came over
02:44 and I felt pretty good about everything this week,
02:47 even though obviously not quite in contention, but the game's feeling pretty good."
02:52 As more tournaments are preparing to host these golfing titans,
02:57 with McIlroy now having a point to prove, it's certainly worth keeping tabs on.
03:03 on.
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