By V. Krishnaswamy, one of India’s leading sports writers, who has covered over 20 Majors and 250 international golf tournaments. Follow him on Twitter via @Swinging_Swamy.

Ponte Vedra Beach, March 17: Hideki Matsuyama, who started his campaign at THE PLAYERS Championship with rounds of 71-72, rounded off the week with stunning rounds of 66-67 over the weekend to signal his return to form.

He finished tied-eighth alongside Justin Rose, Jason Day and Brian Harman at 12-under for the week and four shots behind the winner, Rory McIlroy (70) who was 16-under at the PGA TOUR’s flagship US$12.5 million tournament.

Matsuyama, who was ranked as high as number two in the world in mid-2017 had dropped to 30th after the first week of 2019. But he has been picked up pieces since then with tied-third result at Farmers Insurance and tied-ninth finish at the Genesis Open. Another Top-10, and that at a star-studded event like the PLAYERS will add to his confidence as he gets set for four Majors in next four months.

Matsuyama’s day was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 16th hole where his second shot, a five-Iron came within six feet for the eagle. Matsuyama had four other birdies against one bogey in his 67.

He said, “I hit some good quality shots, especially with the irons and made some putts. It was a good weekend. Hit a five iron (on 16) and hit it exactly where I wanted it to go,” he said.

After an amazing 2017, Matsuyama suffered a wrist injury which halted his progress. He now seems back on the rails, as he has not missed a single cut after the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

“Compared to last year, it’s much better this year. It’s been satisfying. Without results, it would be a struggle. I feel confident with my game,” said Matsuyama, who will tee up at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas in two weeks’ time.

Asia’s next best was Korea’s Byeonghun An at tied-26th following a final round 71 as he had five birdies and two other bogeys during his round. He put his third shot into water on the 18th and suffered a double bogey.

Also from Korea, Sung Kang finished tied-47th while 2017 PLAYERS champion Si Woo Kim carded 73 to finish tied-56th. Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan settled for tied-72nd after a 76.

Earlier, Anirban Lahiri missed out on the final round after failing to make the secondary 54-hole cut, while Kiradech Aphibarnrat did not move past the 36-hole cut.

Tiger Woods finished tied-30th with a final round of 69 and a total of six-under 282, which may have been a lot better and given him a chance to make a charge but for the quadruple bogey ‘seven’ on the Par-3 17th on the second day.

He said, “Yeah, I was close to getting over the hurdle and getting things rolling, and unfortunately I made a 7 over at 17. I missed a few putts that I could have very easily got the momentum going that could have gotten me on a run. I was close. I mean, I know that the score doesn’t really indicate that, but this is probably the most stressful golf course you ever play when there’s wind out here. So all in all it was a solid week.”

McIlroy said, “It means a lot. I knew today was going to be difficult just by looking at the forecast. I thought anything in the 60s was probably going to get it done for me, and I didn’t quite get to that number, but I needed to show a lot of character out there, too, over through fourth which I double bogeyed. I hit it in the water, and I think all the experiences I’ve had over the last few weeks in terms of trying to win and not getting over the line definitely helped me,” said McIlroy.

He added, “I am very proud, very honoured to be able to call myself a PLAYERS champion, a tournament I haven’t won before, so great to obviously add to the CV.”

Ends.