Moneyball – Hollywood finish pays up big for Matsuyama

When Hideki Matsuyama is in full flow, he makes the game look ridiculously easy and that’s exactly what he did in the final round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera as the Japanese superstar recorded his ninth PGA Tour victory in the most impressive of fashions.

With Patrick Cantlay looking to go wire-to-wire, and Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris his closest challengers, Matsuyama came in a little under the radar in the final round but left very much on the radar of everybody, particularly with the Masters less than 50 days away.

And of course, the financial reward was extremely lucrative in the 70-man Signature Event with the first prize worth $4 million – the highest on offer thus far in the 2024 season. Runner-up Zalatoris, playing on a sponsor’s exemption, made the most of the opportunity and took home $1.8 million in prizemoney, and courtesy of making a hole in one on the 14th on Friday, he drives away in a Genesis GV80, also winning an Electric GV70 for his caddie.

Neither Rory McIlroy or Seamus Power were involved at the business end of the championship, but McIlroy’s T24 was still worth a shade under $165,000, while Power, a shot behind in T31, walked away with $123,000.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International on the Ladies European Tour drew an all-star cast thanks to the $5 million prizefund – easily the most lucrative of the year thus far on any of the female circuits.

Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit proved untouchable, running away with a seven-shot victory and almost $700,000. Leona Maguire showed glimpses of the form that’s seen her become a two-time LPGA Tour winner and a menace for the United States when it comes to the Solheim Cup when she shot an eight-under second round, but ultimately finished tied for 29th at level-par and took home over $43,000.

Conor Purcell and Mark Power were the only two Irishmen to make the cut in the Challenge Tour’s Dimension Data Pro-Am in South Africa, with Purcell best placed and earning just over €4,000, while Power, two shots further back, claimed just shy of €3,000.

Padraig Harrington’s return to Champions Tour action was cut short due to heavy rain as the Chubb Classic in Florida was reduced to 36 holes. Winner Stephen Ames picked up $270,000 while Harrington’s six-way tie for 15th earned him just under $28,000.