Hideki Matsuyama is aiming for a rare accomplishment in Phoenix this week, as he tries to win the Waste Management Open at TPC Scottsdale for the third year in a row.
The Japanese golfer first won the tournament in 2016, with a playoff victory against Rickie Fowler.
Similarly, the 25-year-old would need another playoff in 2017, this time to get past Webb Simpson.
Matsuyama finished with cards of -14 and -17 in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
The former Japanese collegiate champion has three other PGA Tour wins to his name, won at the Muirfield Village Golf Club, the Firestone Country Club, and the Sheshan Golf Club in China.
The propsect of winning three Phoenix Opens in a row would put Matsuyama in distinguished company – the only man to do it before being Arnold Palmer.
Matsuyama is feeling especially confident after last week’s meeting at Torrey Pines as well, tying for the lowest round on Sunday with 69.
Speaking to a press conference, he said:
Putting was the best it’s ever been at Torrey Pines. I was very proud of that, and hopefully I can keep putting well.
The man he beat last year Webb Simpson had praise for Matsuyama too:
I’ve never repeated a tournament. It’s hard to win even once; to be going for a third straight is really impressive.
