Japan's Matsuyama romps to Shanghai surprise victory

WGC-HSBC Champions – Hideki Matsuyama

Twenty nine birdies over the course of the week gave Matsuyama (and Asia) his first WGC victory and he did it by a whopping seven shots from Daniel Berger and Henrik Stenson – the Swede moved above Danny Willett at the top of the Race to Dubai standings.

The Japanese star (-23) was only one shot off Dustin Johnson’s record aggregate and his last dropped shot came at the 9^th on Friday. His final-round 66 followed efforts of 66-65 and 68.

One startling stat from Matsuyama’s final round was that he recorded nine 3s on the card, his birdie at the 13^th from off the green the likely highlight. At the last, pressing for a 30^th birdie, he found the water but still rolled in a putt for par.

Rory McIlroy also closed the gap on Willett with a 66 to share fourth place. Scotland’s Russell Knox had began the final round as Matsuyama’s closest challenger but fell away to a 74 due to four straight bogeys around the turn.

Winning in style – Matsuyama's final round highlights…#HSBCChampions pic.twitter.com/HSrw4yRQNi

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 30, 2016

What Matsuyama said: “I was really nervous at the start of the day, but I was able to birdie hole number one. I kind of got myself into the rhythm of the day, and after that it was smooth sailing.

“I really don’t know why I played well this week. Over the last three years I’ve had to withdraw twice and I didn’t play very well the other year. But I got off to a good start and I really didn’t make any changes to my swing or anything else. I have putted really well these last three weeks, and that’s probably the difference.

“My next goal is, of course, to win a Major, and I’m going to do all that I can to prepare well for that.”