Collin Morikawa, familiar with the challenges of Kapalua, found himself trailing Hideki Matsuyama by seven shots early in the second round of The Sentry, but he remained unfazed. As the tournament unfolded on a picturesque day in Maui, Matsuyama delivered a bogey-free performance, securing a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the PGA Tour season opener.
Matsuyama impressed with a series of seven birdies in a 10-hole stretch, finishing with an 8-under 65. His steady play under moderate wind conditions highlighted his strong command of the course. Meanwhile, Morikawa’s persistence paid off as he recorded five consecutive birdies, only interrupted by a missed 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole. Both players posted scores of 65, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.
Acknowledging the competitiveness of the field, Morikawa expressed confidence in his ability to capitalize on the course’s opportunities. “When you look at the leaderboard, I’m through six holes and I’m even par and guys are lapping the field already,” he observed. Despite the challenge, he maintained his strategy, knowing the course well enough to expect stretches of birdies.
On the leaderboard, Matsuyama’s performance was met with satisfaction. He was at 16-under 130, with several contenders close behind. Corey Conners and Thomas Detry demonstrated strong finishes, both at 14-under 132. Conners’ highlight was a 40-foot eagle putt on the 15th hole, complemented by a series of birdies, culminating in a 66. Detry’s aggressive approach paid off with an eagle on the 14th, wrapping up his day with a 65.
Across the course, scoring conditions were ideal, with an average score of 68.1. However, Davis Riley faced challenges, posting an 80 after a series of birdies were offset by a disastrous 9 on the 17th hole. Despite Riley’s difficulties, most players seized the day, aiming for optimal positions on the greens and converting their shots into birdies.
Sepp Straka’s performance was remarkable, achieving birdies on every back-nine hole, although a missed 20-foot putt prevented a perfect finish. Eight players carded 64, including Patrick Cantlay, who improved his score significantly from the previous round. Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark made a compelling argument about the course’s difficulty level, emphasizing that the lack of wind contributed to numerous birdie opportunities.
As the tournament enters the weekend, Hideki Matsuyama’s lead signifies his strong start to the PGA Tour season. With several players in close pursuit, the competition remains fierce. Matsuyama’s composed play and the resilience of contenders like Collin Morikawa promise an engaging finale at the scenic Kapalua Plantation Course.
Source: Local10
