Hideki Matsuyama makes an eagle on the first playoff hole to win 2022 Sony Open
Hideki Matsuyama eagled the first playoff hole to come from behind and beat Russell Henley to clinch the 2022 Sony Open title.
Matsuyama, who was five-shot behind till 9th holes, made a solid comeback and shot four birdies in the remaining nine holes to force a playoff.
In a sudden-death playoff with Russell Henley, the star of Japan Matsuyama hit an incredible shot with a 3-wood from 276 yards that landed just 3 feet away for an eagle on the par-5 18th.
The 2021 Masters champion had no idea about his heroic shot until he heard an enormous cheer from one of the giant galleries at Waialae.
"To be honest, I didn't even see it," Matsuyama said. "But everybody started cheering, and I knew it was good."
Henley, who had led after the second and third rounds, started his final day journey with an electrifying 6-under 29 through the first nine holes. However, he shot eight pars with a bogey in the last nine holes, squandering his chances of winning the event, which was virtually on his plate halfway through the final round.
It was the fifth time Henley had at least a share of the 54-hole lead and failed to convert.
Kevin Kisner and Seamus Power shared the third position at 19-under 269. While, Lucas Glover and Matt Thompson finished a further shot back at 18-under 270.
Matsuyama, with this win, grabbed his eighth PGA Tour victory, lifting him into a tie for the most wins ever by an Asian-born player.
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