More relaxed Matsuyama ready to add to resume

KAPALUA, Maui » As a general rule, those who play the Plantation Course for the first time don’t always have a memorable experience.

Since this winners-only tournament touched down on Maui in 1999, there have been only three first-timers who went on to win. They are David Duval, Sergio Garcia and Daniel Chopra, who did it last in 2008.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama would like to add his name to that small list, and in the process become the youngest winner of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions since its arrival in the island chain 16 years ago.

He enters Monday’s final round tied with defending Sony Open in Hawaii champion Jimmy Walker, who is making his second tour of duty here. The first time through, Walker tied for 21st, 12 shots behind eventual champion Zach Johnson.

Matsuyama qualified for this elite field by beating Kevin Na at the Memorial Tournament in a playoff. He teed it up in only seven PGA Tour events in 2014 and managed six top-25 finishes. What is even more impressive is his play at the majors.

In 2011, he was Japan’s amateur champion, which got him into the Masters, where he won the Silver Cup for top amateur. He was the only amateur to survive the cut that year with a tie for 27th.

He turned pro in 2013 and has already won six times on the Japanese Tour. He had a tie for 10th at the 2013 U.S. Open, a tie for sixth at the British Open and a tie for 19th at the PGA Championship to give you some idea just how good this young golfer could be.

He opened with a ho-hum 70 on Friday, but carved out 66s Saturday and Sunday to put himself in position to win again. Still not comfortable with the English language, he had interpreter Allen Turner by his side during Sunday’s press conference.

He answered a wide range of questions, including how important winning at the Memorial has been in his young career.

"I gained some confidence and I thought that would translate into playing better after that," Matsuyama said. "And you know, I really didn’t get another chance to win, and so now I’m here, I have a chance and so I want to be able to use that experience I had at the Memorial and hopefully have a good day."

Matsuyama played at Tiger Woods’ event in December, finishing in the middle of the pack. This is his first tournament since then.

"After I played in Tiger’s tournament, I practiced really hard after that one week and then I took some time off with the new year," Matsuyama said. "And so coming into this week I thought, you know, kind of get back into golf and be able to, as I play, get ready for the season. And that’s where I am today."

His biggest strength this week has been his putting. He needed only 26 in Sunday’s round after 28 on Saturday and 31 on Friday. Matsuyama was in a final pairing at the Colonial last year played a couple of weeks before Memorial. He believes this can only help him get better for Monday’s final round.

"I think I’m playing better golf than I was back then," Matsuyama said. Adam Scott wound up the winner.

"Back then, you know, if I made bogey, I think I let it affect me too much. I think I’m a little more relaxed now and am looking forward to (Monday)."