Hideki Matsuyama admits the moment he thought victory was slipping away from him at the St Jude Championship

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Hideki Matsuyama made two birdies on the final two holes to finally win out at the St Jude Championship this weekend.

Despite going into Sunday with a five shot lead, Matsuyama imploded midway through his fourth round to let the likes of Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland in.

However, despite dropping a shot behind at one point, Matsuyama rallied and produced two brilliant iron shots on both 17 and 18 to get over the line.

READ MORE: Golf fans left angry after something ‘ridiculous’ happened to Hideki Matsuyama in his final round at St Jude Championship

Still, it was a nervy old affair for the former Masters winner and he admitted to the press afterwards that even he thought he’d fluffed his lines.

Hideki Matsuyama shares when he thought he’d thrown the St Jude Championship away

Speaking to the media after his win, Matsuyama admitted there was a point where he felt he was never going to get over the line.

“After the 14th hole I was still two up but I knew Victor and Xander were playing 15 and 16 ahead of me. I figured they would both get to 16 under. When I was playing the 16th hole I looked at the scoreboard and sure enough they were 16 under and I was a stroke back,” Matsuyama said.

“I felt today’s victory slipping away at that point because 17 and 18 are difficult holes enough, let alone to birdie them.

“But I was fortunate enough to birdie 17, immediately I thought this is going to be a tough tee shot at 18, I have to keep it in the fairway and gratefully I was able to do it.”

Matsuyama madness was another brilliant 2024 golf moment

• READ MORE: Hideki Matsuyama reveals whether the rules official intervention impacted him during his final round at St Jude Championship

This season has really had some brilliant moments and will go down as one of the best in recent golfing history.

Rory McIlroy missing his putt and storming off at Pinehurst will live long in the memory. Scottie Scheffler’s final round in the Olympics – something McIlroy labelled as ‘totally amazing’ – is also a highlight.

Xander Schauffele has pocketed two majors, and who will ever forget Donald Trump stunning golf fans with his performance on Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube channel.

Still, there is always room for more and Matsuyama having a mini meltdown before recovering is just another drama in this fine season.

Make no mistake, then, 2025 has a lot to live up to.