A Spectacular Turnaround
Hideki Matsuyama, once ranked second in the world, returned to the spotlight at the 2026 Travelers Championship in Connecticut, where his unorthodox approach on the second round drew gasps from the gallery.
From a thick patch of rough on the 15th hole, Matsuyama launched a high, looping strike that resembled a baseball swing. The ball landed softly on the green, rolled a few feet and settled inches from the cup, prompting a roar from the crowd.
Capitalizing on the momentum, the Japanese veteran birdied the 16th and 17th holes in quick succession, shaving three strokes off his score and climbing the leaderboard. His final round positioning now sits at six under par, tied for 27th overall.
Matsuyama is scheduled to tee off at 11:20 a.m. on Saturday in Cromwell, Connecticut, where he will look to translate his late‑round surge into a deeper run.