Hideki Matsuyama Becomes First Asian to Win FedExCup Playoffs Event

Hideki Matsuyama clinched a dramatic victory at the St. Jude Championship, making him the first Asian golfer to win a FedExCup Playoffs event. Despite a late wobble, Matsuyama finished strong with key birdies, pushing him to third place in the FedExCup points list.

Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama etched his name in history on Sunday by becoming the first Asian golfer to win a FedExCup Playoffs event. He secured a hard-fought two-stroke victory at the St. Jude Championship, overcoming Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland.

Despite a back-nine scare that saw his five-shot lead evaporate, the 32-year-old Matsuyama surged to his second title of the season with critical birdies on the final two holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis. This marks his 10th PGA TOUR career victory.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has had a stellar season with six wins, finished fourth, trailing Matsuyama by three strokes. Indian-American Akshay Bhatia (68) secured T-12, Indo-British Aaron Rai (67) finished T-16, and another Indian American, Sahith Theegala (71), ended in T-46. All three remain in the Top-50 of the FedEx Cup Standings and will compete in the BMW Championships.

Matsuyama's triumph was bolstered by a new putter and stand-in caddie, Taiga Tabuchi. "I'm especially happy to win one of the FedExCup Playoff series tournaments. It's a great feeling of satisfaction," said Matsuyama through his interpreter. He now sits third in the FedExCup points list, aiming to become the first Asian golfer to win the season-long prize in its 16-year history.

The St. Jude Championship saw notable performances from other Asian golfers, including Korea's Byeong Hun An, who finished T33, and compatriots Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim. However, Tom Kim narrowly missed advancing to the BMW Championship, finishing T50 in Memphis but ranking 51st in the FedExCup standings.

(With inputs from agencies.)