Hideki Matsuyama issues statement after unexpected withdrawal from BMW Championship- "It was impossible to play"
After winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship just last week, Hideki Matsuyama has withdrawn from the BMW Championship, the second tournament of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Matsuyama was in second place going into day 2 of the event.
In an unexpected withdrawal, Hideki Matsuyama decided to step back before round 2 of the tournament began after sustaining a back injury. Speaking about his withdrawal from the event, Matusyama released a statement via the PGA Tour, saying:
"I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the BMW Championship after experiencing lower back discomfort while warming up this morning, which made it impossible to play today. Thank you to BMW and the Western Golf Association for a great experience here at Castle Pines."
Regardless of his withdrawal this week, Matsuyama will be able to play the Tour Championship provided that he is feeling better and makes the top 30 on the FedEx Cup rankings.
Adam Scott is currently leading the tournament after shooting a course record during round 2 with a score of 63. The likes of Alex Noren, Keegan Bradley and Xander Schauffele also remain near the top of the leaderboard.
Hideki Matsuyama took victory at FedEx St. Jude Championship despite not having his caddie due to stolen passport
Hideki Matsuyama's victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship was not an easy one. His regular caddie, Shota Hayafuji, was not able to make it to the tournament because his passport got stolen during their stopover in London.
Matsuyama found a replacement caddie for the week, Taiga Tabuchi, who was previously caddying for Ryo Hisatsune. Speaking about the impromptu pairing, Matsuyama said via Golf.com:
“It was Taiga’s first time I’ve worked with him. I knew he was caddying for Ryo on the Tour earlier in the year, so we did play some practice rounds together. On the course, you have a routine, but with a new caddie, that routine changes, and so we were working through that all week. But he was a great help to me. Helped me read a lot of putts. A lot of good lines that he gave me.”
Matsuyama persevered through the week to take victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship by two strokes. Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele finished in joint second, while Scottie Scheffler finished in sole fourth place.