Hideki Matsuyama, after a historic PGA Tour score, wins the Sentry event

Hideki Matsuyama, after splitting the Plantation Course at Kapalua in three rounds, was asked by a reporter what he thought was the best part of his game, and he muttered to the interpreter standing to his left. He said he wasn’t sure. Modest, as always. He would not advertise.

Then again, he may also have had a hard time choosing.

On the tee? Check. Away from you? Check. About the green? Check. In green? Check. Consistency? Over 54 holes, yes, but on Sunday, during the final round of sentry event, the PGA Tour’s season opener, would settle that.

Check. One to 18, it was more of the same, skillfully. And historically so. Matsuyama carded seven birdies and an eagle for a round of eight-under 65 and a tournament total of 35, giving him a three-shot victory over Collin Morikawa and a PGA Tour record, by one, for lowest 72-hole par score. He also notched his 11th career tournament win.

Sunday, like Thursday, Friday and Saturday, again showcased Matsuyama’s expertise across the board. What did he do? you do you think that was the best part? Birds on 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12? They were good. The pars on 8, 11 and 12 all came on shots 20 feet or longer. Or did you like the hole in 5 more? It came from 107 yards and Matsuyama landed on it.

Or did you prefer the action on the 16th? He was feeling the heat there. There, he essentially won the tournament. After Morikawa pulled within two shots at 15, Matsuyama blasted a drive to the right side of the fairway, putt to 4 feet and birdie, restoring a three-shot lead. From there, he split 17 and scored 18 for the record.

Finally, he pumped his fist.

Apparently you’d have no argument from him either that this was the best part of his week.

Takeaway

Matsuyama looks summoned. A year of him and Scottie Scheffler playing darts would be fun, wouldn’t it?

Breaking down the leaderboard

— Hideki Matsuyama starts the final round with a one-stroke lead. Matsuyama is 27 years old, Collin Morikawa is 26 years old, Thomas Detry is 22 years old, and Sungjae Im is 21 years old.

– Matsuyama eagles the 417-yard, par-4 second from 107 yards and his lead increases to two. Matsuyama is 29 years old, Morikawa is 27 years old and Im is 22 years old.

— Matsuyama bogeys the 532-yard, par-4 7th after missing the green with his second shot, and Matsuyama’s lead drops back to three. Matsuyama is 29-years-old, Morikawa is 26-under and Im is 23-under.

– Matsuyama and Morikawa each birdie 185 yards, par-3 8 – Matsuyama with a 20-foot putt and Morikawa with a 14-footer – and Matsuyama’s lead stands at three shots. Matsuyama is 30-under, Morikawa is 27-under, and Im is 23-under.

— Matsuyama hits the 545-yard, par-5 9th in an 8-footer to extend his lead to four. Matsuyama is 31-years-old, Morikawa is 27-under and Im is 25-under.

— Morikawa hits the 377-yard, par-4 10th from 10 feet and he pulls to within three of the lead. Matsuyama is 31-years-old, Morikawa is 28-under and Im is 25-under.

– Matsuyama and Morikawa each birdie 167 yards, par-3 11th – Matsuyama with 30 feet and Morikawa with 11 feet – and Matsuyama’s lead stands at three. Matsuyama is 32-years-old, Morikawa is 29-under and Im is 25-under.

— Matsuyama drives the 429-yard, par-4 12th into a 21-footer and extends his lead to four. Matsuyama is 33-years-old, Morikawa is 29-under and Im is 25-under.

— Morikawa hits the 297-yard, par-4 14th on a 6-footer, and he pulls to within three. Matsuyama is 33 years old and Morikawa is 30 years old.