Hideki Matsuyama’s first round got off to an inauspicious start at the Sony Open.
Getty Images
Hideki Matsuyama arrived at this week’s Sony Open fresh off a historic victory in the Sentry season opener, looking to start the season with back-to-back wins in Hawaii.
But the 32-year-old’s week got off to an inauspicious start on Thursday when he hit an errant shot on the ninth hole. Matsuyama lost control of his driver during the chase and launched it into customers on the rope line.
Fortunately for the former Masters champion, the wayward club hit the rope and lost the spectators.
Near disaster didn’t bother Matsuyama on the 517-yard Par 5.
The off-line shot landed near the boundary fence in left, but that wasn’t a problem for Matsuyama. He escaped the danger and left the second shot just short of the green. A putt and putt allowed him to leave the hole with a birdie en route to a three-under-par 67.
Matsuyama’s 67 was good enough to put him in a tie for 26th after Day 1. He is currently three shots behind Denny McCarthy, Harry Hall, Eric Cole, Adam Schenk, Tom Hoge and Paul Peterson. Top amateur Luke Clanton, who can provide his Tour card with a top-five finish this week, he is five shots back at one under.
The Japanese star will begin his round on Friday at 12:50 pm ET along with Russell Henley (four under) and Sahith Theegala (three under).
“>
