Matsuyama Moves In Frame For Back-To-Back Majors Glory

4 years ago by Comments Off on Matsuyama Moves In Frame For Back-To-Back Majors Glory

While most eyes were on Phil Mickelson, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama also moved into contention to add another historic chapter to his golfing CV and that’s to capture back-to-back majors.

Japan continues to bask in the glory of Matsuyama’s maiden major championship triumph at the Masters and now the golf-mad nation could be savouring a second in just as many majors should he succeed in the PGA Championship.

The last player to win back-to-back Majors was Jordan Spieth in capturing the 2015 Masters and US Open titles.

The 29-year-old Matsuyama signed for a second round four-under par 68 to be sharing fourth place at three-under and two adrift of the leading duo of Mickelson and South Louis Oosthuizen.

Matsuyama was even-par for the day until making his move at the par-4 sixth, posting the first of five birdies over his next eight holes. He followed it up with another on the ensuing par-5, then made his surge up the leader-board after making the turn, grabbing birdies on three of the first four holes.

After entering the day in a share of 41st place, the six-time PGA Tour winner found himself just two back of the then on-course leader Oosthuizen entering the toughest stretch on the course.

He managed to save par at the 15th after hitting his 4-iron into the left bunker but wasn’t so lucky at the last, when he failed to get up and down, settling for bogey.

“I really hit my driver and second shots very well today, and that gave me a lot of birdie opportunities, which I was able to capitalize on,” said Matsuyama.

“It looks like you have to accumulate a lot of birdies, as many as you can, until you get to 14, 15. Those last four or five holes are very difficult. Being able to make birdies on those downwind holes makes it a whole lot easier because you’re not under the pressure. You can lose a stroke here or there on the final holes.”

At Augusta National, Matsuyama was three shots off the lead after two rounds and he finds himself one shot closer to the lead this time around.

However, with swirling winds making life difficult this week on what is proving to be a demanding golf course, Matsuyama knows he needs to keep his head down and keep grinding.

“Yeah, it’s up to the weather what’s going to happen between the morning wave and afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. However, hopefully my play today will carry over to the weekend,” said Matsuyama.

 



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