Hideki Matsuyama withdraws from 3M Open after 6-over 77, quadruple bogey on 18
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan lines up a putt on the 12th green during the first round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 21, 2022 in Blaine, Minnesota. ((Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS - Hideki Matsuyama is one of the biggest names at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine this week for the 3M Open, but his first round got off to a tough start Thursday morning.
The No. 14-ranked player on the World Golf Rankings was 1-over par on his opening nine, until he got to the par-5 No. 18. It was one of the toughest holes on the PGA Tour last season, and it was a blow-up hole for Matsuyama on Thursday.
He recorded a quadruple bogey nine to finish the side at 5-over par 41. Matsuyama’s tee shot went right, into the water. After a drop, his third shot came well short of the green and went into the water for a second time. Hitting five from virtually the same spot, he hit another fairway wood short of the green and into the water.
Hitting seven, he launched an approach shot over the green that caromed off the grandstand. After getting relief from a drainage ditch, he hit the pin with his chip shot and made the short putt for a nine.
The 18th hole at TPC Twin Cities is very much a risk-reward hole, where tour pros can get to the green in two and go for eagle if their drive lands in the fairway. But a result like Matsuyama’s, and the tournament can get away in a hurry.
Matsuyama never recovered from the quadruple bogey, finishing with a 6-over par 77. He later withdrew from the tournament due to a sore wrist. The 2021 Master's champion also withdrew from the Valero Texas Open earlier this year with a neck issue, and withdrew from the Player's Championship with a back injury.
Matsuyama was the highest-ranked player in the World Golf Rankings, at No. 14, to come to the 3M Open. Now, he's out after just 18 holes.