Hideki Matsuyama cruises to victory at WGC Bridgestone Invitational

Hideki Matsuyama cruised to a five-shot victory at Firestone Country Club with a stunning final round of 61 to win his second WGC Title 

The World No.3 began the day two shots behind leaders Zach Johnson and Thomas Pieters, but having chipped in from 58 feet from the back of the second green for an eagle, Matsuyama quickly assumed a share of the lead.

Matsuyama then birdied the third as Johnson picked up a shot of his own on the second for the pair to get to double figures, but from there on it was a show of outsanding golf from the Japanese player than could not be out-done.

With long birdie putts on the sixth and ninth holes, the 25-year-old had established a two shot lead by the turn. By the 16th holes Matsuyama had put three shots between himself and his nearest challenger Zach Johnson, but back-to-back birdies on his final three holes saw him close out his convincing victory in impressive style.

And while Matsuyama admitted that he wasn’t entirely sure of his swing the entire way round the course on Sunday, he still produced the lowest final round score in history of a WGC winner. 

“That might be the best round I’ve ever played,” he said. “This is Firestone Country Club, it’s such a difficult golf course and to play as well as I did here, I’m thrilled.

“I did hit some good shots but I was nervous all the way around because I really wasn’t sure of my swing today.

“All I can do is my best. I know a lot of us have tried from Japan to win Majors. Hopefully some day it will happen. I’d like to win one but I’ll get back to work tomorrow morning and hopefully something good will come.”

What highlights of his final round below 

Hideki Matsuyama: WITB 

Driver: Callaway Great Big Bertha (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 8TX

3 Wood: TaylorMade M2 2017 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 9TX

Hybrid: Callaway Apex (18 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI Hybrid 115X

Irons: Srixon Z965 (4-PW)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Precision Forged (52, 56 and 60 degrees)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: TaylorMade TP Collection Mullen

Golf ball: Srixon Z-Star XV