Hideki Matsuyama fired a bogey-free, 9-under 62 on Sunday to turn a six-shot deficit into a three-stroke victory at the Genesis Invitational golf tournament.
The 31-year-old Japanese had a 17-under 267 total at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, for his ninth career victory on the U.S. PGA Tour and first since the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2022.
Matsuyama set the course record for the lowest closing round by a winner as he finished ahead of Americans Will Zalatoris and Luke List in a tie for second place.
He also established a record for most PGA wins by an Asian-born golfer, breaking the tie he was in with South Korea's K.J. Choi.
"My tee shots weren't quite the way I wanted them, but I putted really well," Matsuyama said. "It's my first time to win a tournament with just my short game."
Matsuyama battled back from a tie for seventh at the start of the day by piling up nine birdies in his blemish-free round, taking $4 million for the victory.
The 2021 Masters champion opened his final round with three straight birdies. On the back nine, Matsuyama birdied three in a row from the 10th hole and again from the 15th.
In a rare show of emotion, he clenched his fist as he finished with a birdie on the 18th.
Tournament host Tiger Woods, who withdrew after the opening day with the flu, congratulated Matsuyama on his "incredible win."
"I was watching all day," the 15-time major champion said on X, formerly Twitter. "Seeing a record breaking 62 and coming from six shots back is truly special."
American Patrick Cantlay started the final day at Riviera with a two-stroke lead but could not find his groove and carded 72 to finish tied for fourth at 13-under.
Matsuyama's latest triumph came after a difficult period for the Japanese star, who dealt with health challenges, including a neck and back injury, between wins.
The victory moves him to No. 20 in the world in the run-up to the first major on the calendar, the Masters, from April 11-14.
"Now I've got my ninth win, so I want to reach double digits next. I'll try to stay confident and improve my game further toward the Masters Tournament," he said.
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