The Sentry: Hideki Matsuyama leads PGA Tour opener in Hawaii
Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama shot his second straight 65 to take a one-shot lead in the PGA Tour season opener in Hawaii.
Sentry has 31 PGA Tour winners and 29 players who finished in the top 50 in last year’s FedExCup standings.
The 32-year-old from Japan had eight birdies at Kapalua to edge Collin Morikawa, another major champion.
The American, who won the 2020 PGA Championship and the following year’s British Open, had five consecutive birdies starting on the 13th hole for a 65.
“I’m absolutely happy with where I am right now,” Matsuyama said.
“Obviously it’s a beautiful view here. I haven’t played well here in a while, so it’s good to get off to a good start.”
Morikawa could have finished the day with Matsuyama but had to settle for par on the 18th hole.
“I just hit some quality shots and gave myself a bunch of birdie chances,” he said.
“I felt like I was seeing birdies the whole back nine. Obviously I had a few birdies, but it was nice to see a few fall down.”
American player Maverick McNealy tied the lowest score of the day with a 64, competing with Canadian player Corey Conners and Belgian player Thomas Detry. Along with American Tom Hoge, one shot behind Morikawa at 14 under.
England’s Harry Hall birdied four of his final five holes for a 65, which moved him further behind in a group that also includes U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, both shot 64.
