Hideki Matsuyama Captures the WMPO By One Stroke Over Rickie Fowler in Playoff

Rickie Fowler shot a 4-under-par 34-33=67 in the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open to post 14-under 270, and then lost on the fourth hole of sudden death to Hideki Matsuyama, dropping his playoff record to 2-2. 

After opening in 65-68-70, Fowler was in the final threesome T2 with Matsuyama and three adrift of 54-hole leader Danny Lee. He had come-from-behind in each of his three TOUR wins and was looking to add his fourth title in his 152nd pro start -- and his fifth worldwide victory in the last nine months. Fowler missed birdie at the par-4 first (from 5'8") but connected from 3'11" at the par-5 third to join a four-way T1. He took the top spot with a pitch-in birdie-3 at the 10th and had a two-shot lead heading to the short par-4 17th after birdie-4s at 13 and 15. The 27-year-old drove the green (with driver) but it never stopped, going over the green into the water to square his first bogey in 22 holes. Back at the 17th for the fourth hole of sudden death, he hit less-than driver this time, but he found the water left and it was over, settling for his ninth career runner-up and second at the WMPO (2010). Will this loss shake Fowler's confidence as we move into the core of the 20-16-2017 season? Doubtful - this young man appears to have the drive and determination to bounce back. Share your thoughts with the Pro Golf Tour: http://progolftournaments.blogspot.com/