Hideki Matsuyama leads the BMW PGA Championship with an outstanding performance
Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama demonstrated his quality at the BMW PGA Championship, achieving two eagles and an impressive round of 64 strokes (-8) on the second day. His performance secured him the lead, ahead by one stroke of a trio of prominent European players preparing for the Ryder Cup. Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and Justin Rose, members of the European Ryder Cup team, are in pursuit of Matsuyama. This tournament represents the last opportunity for these players to refine their game before the competition at Bethpage Black, which will take place from September 26 to 28. Of the eleven members of the European team participating in the tournament, only one did not make the cut: rookie Rasmus Hojgaard. Matsuyama, in his debut at this prestigious event on the European circuit, quickly adapted to Wentworth Club. The former Masters champion accumulated eleven birdies during the week, in addition to his two eagles in the second round, finishing with a total of 12 under par in the tournament. The Japanese golfer made a 15-foot putt on the fourth hole and a chip-in from the edge of the green on the 17th hole, allowing him to move into the lead in the final part of the day.Hovland, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with his game, highlighting his performance in chipping and putting. The Norwegian chained three consecutive birdies from the 4th hole, and achieved an eagle with a 40-foot putt on the last hole.I didn’t expect to play so well.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hovland, who recently finished seventh at the BMW Championship and twelfth at the Tour Championship, could be paired with Åberg in the Ryder Cup. The Swede also showed a good level, after a first round of 64 strokes with a second of 69. Justin Rose, with eight birdies, joined his Ryder Cup teammates in second place. Regarding the rest of the Ryder Cup players, Rory McIlroy had a double bogey on the last hole, signing a card of 72 strokes and remaining nine strokes behind the leader. Jon Rahm, for his part, achieved two birdies on the last two holes, completing the round with 69 strokes and a total of 4 under par.I am very happy with my position and, in terms of scoring, it’s incredible, to be honest.
Viktor Hovland
