Matsuyama wins Dunlop Phoenix in playoff vs Iwata

Hideki Matsuyama. (John Locher/AP)

MIYAZAKI, Japan — Hideki Matsuyama of Japan beat compatriot Hiroshi Iwata in the first playoff hole to win the Dunlop Phoenix on Sunday.

Matsuyama, who plays primarily on the U.S. PGA tour, started the day with a two-stroke lead and shot a 1-under 70 in regulation before saving par on the extra hole to claim his first victory this season on the Japanese tour.

Iwata began the day seven strokes off the lead and surged up the leaderboard with a 63 to tie Matsuyama at 15-under 269. Matsuyama birdied the final two holes of regulation after bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16.

Jordan Spieth of the United States shot a 69 to finish in a tie for third with Australia’s Brendan Jones, who had a 68.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.