Hideki Matsuyama became the first Asian golfer to win a World Golf Championships (WGC) tournament on Oct 30, after a masterful performance in Shanghai brought him his maiden WGC-HSBC Champions title.
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Japan's Hideki Matsuyama chips from a bunker during the WGC-HSBC Champions in Sheshan, Shanghai. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn] |
The Japanese swept to victory at Sheshan Golf Course with a magnificent final score of 23 under par, seven shots clear of his nearest rivals.
Aged just 24, Matsuyama also became the youngest ever winner of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
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Hideki Matsuyama takes a photo with volunteers after his win at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Sheshan. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn] |
The rising star took home $1.6 million (10.9 million yuan) in prize money for his win in Shanghai, and saw his PGA world ranking rise four places to number 6.
Henrik Stenson of Sweden and American Daniel Berger, who tied for second place, pushed Matsuyama all the way by finishing a strong 16 under par.
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Sweden's top golfer Henrik Stenson drives during the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan. [Photo/sheshantravel.gov.cn] |
But Matsuyama's consistency never wavered, and he did not drop a single shot during the last 45 holes of the tournament.
Some 30,000 spectators flocked to Sheshan to watch the world-class event throughout the 4-day competition.
The world's top golfers praised the well-maintained course at Sheshan, with some pointing out that the rough is the most challenging aspect of the course.
A new permanent WGC-HSBC Globe was also unveiled at Sheshan Golf Club during the tournament in recognition of its contribution as a successful host of the event for several years.
