Hideki Matsuyama is looking for back-to-back PGA Tour wins as the Sony Open gets underway at Waiʻalae Country Club in Hawaii.
Matsuyama broke the PGA Tour four-round scoring record at The Sentry last weekend, finishing 35 under at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. It was an imperious performance from the 2021 Masters winner, who kept Collin Morikawa at arm’s length during the final round.
With a big major championship season coming up in April, the 32-year-old – who has been linked to LIV Golf – looks primed to add another significant tournament to his record.
Matsuyama is three under after the first day’s play at the Sony Open, three shots back of the lead. It was an entertaining opening 18 for the Japanese star, who made birdie on the par-five 18th to shoot 67.
There was, however, a moment during Matsuyama’s round which has come under fire.
Golf fans aren’t happy with Hideki Matsuyama after club hits fan at Sony Open
Playing the par-five 9th, Matsuyama let go of his driver after his tee shot. The club was propelled in the direction of the watching patrons. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
Matsuyama is prone to letting his club go in his follow-through, and some golf fans have grown frustrated with the Japanese star’s antics.
“All fun and games until….,” this fan wrote. While another added: “Should be a fine”.
“He needs to stop letting the club go. It’s ridiculous,” said this X user.
“This is getting old and in a hurry, and there is major disrespect for the game, especially at his level. He needs to be penalized,” wrote this golf fan.
Another fan added: “I’m over Hideki and his antics.” This fan suggested penalties should be handed out: “Hideki does this multiple times per round, and he knows better. PGA TOUR should start issuing penalties/fines to players who do this. After this one, it might be the last time Hideki does it….”
“He does this too often. Needs to quit being such a baby every time he doesn’t hit it dead solid perfect. I’d fine him big if it happened again.”
Finally, this fan claimed there was no excuse for what Matsuyama did.
“In tennis you can get disqualified for something similar, Novak 2020 US Open for hitting a linesperson with a ball after losing his cool,” they wrote. “There is no excuse, even if it is accidental, for letting the club go. That act is deliberate.”
Matsuyama dropping the club is by no means new. It’s been part of his swing for some time. But, after this incident, perhaps being slightly more cautious would be a good route forward.
2025 Sony Open leaderboard
There’s a cluster of players at the top of the leaderboard after day one of the Sony Open.
Englishman Harry Hall continued his good form from last week with a 64 (six under) to hold a six-way tie for the lead. Eric Cole, Denny McCarthy, and Tom Hoge are three of the names sitting at the top of the leaderboard.
Canadian Adam Hadwin is tied for second on five under. Webb Simpson, Russell Henley, and Brian Harman are one shot back on four under.
US Presidents Cup player Sahith Theegala is at three under alongside Matsuyama, and Tom Kim is two under after shooting 68. Keegan Bradley is one shot worse off at one under.
It was an up-and-down day for the US Ryder Cup captain after he dropped two shots in his first two holes. Bradley bounced back with three birdies to finish in the red numbers.
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