A Swing That Echoed Like a Home Run
Former world No. 2 Hideki Matsuyama stepped onto the TPC River Highlands on Friday, teeing off at 11:20 a.m. as the 2026 Travelers Championship entered its second round, his eyes fixed on a comeback after a modest opening.
From a thick patch of rough on the 15th hole, Matsuyama unleashed a swing that Golf Channel commentators compared to a baseball bat, launching the ball onto the green where it settled within a few feet of the pin. The gallery erupted in cheers, the sound reverberating across the Connecticut course.
The momentum carried forward as Matsuyama added three consecutive birdies on the closing holes, dropping his score to 3‑under for the round and tying him for 27th place overall.
Despite the late surge, the Japanese star remains focused on the final day, scheduled to resume his round at 11:20 a.m. on Saturday, when he will look to convert his rally into a deeper push up the leaderboard.
Matsuyama’s blend of power and precision continues to draw attention, reminding observers that the former world No. 2 still possesses the tools to compete at the highest level.