Golf: Matsuyama Holds Off Stenson To Win World Challenge

NASSAU, Bahamas, Dec 5, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 05th Dec, 2016 ) - Hideki Matsuyama won his fourth title in the past two months Sunday, holding off Sweden's Henrik Stenson to capture the Hero World Challenge by two strokes.

It was Matsuyama's first victory at the 18-player invitational event hosted by Tiger Woods, who made his comeback this week after a 16-month back injury layoff. Matsuyama won in October at the Japan Open and World Golf Championships HSBC Champions and last month at the Taiheiyo Masters in Japan.

He also was second in Malaysia in October during his hot streak. Reigning British Open champion Stenson, down by as many as eight shots earlier in the round, sank a six-foot birdie putt at the 16th to pull within two shots of the Japanese standout and tension built after each parred the par-3 17th.

At 18, Matsuyama found the right rough and went over the green with his approach while Stenson gave himself a 10-foot birdie chance. Matsuyama, 24, answered by chipping within inches of the cup on his third shot.

Stenson, 40, lipped out on his birdie putt and both closed with pars. When the drama concluded, Matsuyama finished on 18-under par 270 after a closing one-over par 73 while Stenson shot 68 to stand on 16-under 272 after 72 holes.