Hideki Matsuyama turned heads at the 2026 Travelers Championship when he pulled off a looping, baseball‑style swing from the rough on the 15th hole.
The ball rose in a high arc, kissed the green and rolled to a spot just a few feet from the pin, drawing an audible roar from the crowd at TPC River Highlands.
A Shot That Stood Out
Matsuyama’s unorthodox technique was a departure from the usual golf swing, yet it proved effective, setting up a short birdie putt that he sank with calm precision.
The Japanese star followed the feat with a series of birdies on the closing holes, salvaging a round that had seemed middling earlier in the day.
Three consecutive birdies on the final stretch propelled him to a 3‑under‑par 66, lifting his total to 6‑under for the tournament and tying him for 27th place.
He will resume play on Saturday morning, teeing off at 11:20 a.m. in Cromwell, Connecticut, with the hope of climbing further up the leaderboard.
Despite the water hazard that loomed on the 16th hole, Matsuyama navigated it cleanly and added another birdie, underscoring his resilience and focus.