OWGR: Matsuyama makes Japanese World Ranking history
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Hideki Matsuyama has replaced Jason Day as the World No.3 in the OWGR as a result of his T22 finish at The Players Championship – becoming the highest ever ranked Japanese player.
Before this milestone Matsuyama was level with Tsuneyuki Nakajima, who had reached the fourth rank in 1987. The two-time PGA Tour champion has been making huge moves in the past year, and can now add history maker to his list of accolades.
Day carded a final round eight-over-par 80 during his title defence at TPC Sawgrass to leave him tied 60th for the tournament, meaning Matsuyama’s 3-under final round of 69 helped him to edge out Day by just nine points.
Adam Scott moved back in to the World’s top 10 with a strong final day to end up tied 6th, pushing out Justin Thomas – who missed the 54-hole MDF cut at the Players and now is ranked World No.11.
Players Champion Si Woo Kim has moved to a career best of 28th in the World, while runner-up Ian Poulter moves back in to the top 100 at no.80 (last week he was 197th).