Hideki Matsuyama secured victory at the PGA Tour's St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis on Sunday, overcoming a tense back nine. The 32-year-old Japanese golfer, who started the final round with a five-shot lead, found himself in trouble with bogeys on the 12th and 14th holes and a double bogey on the par-4 15th. This stumble allowed Xander Schauffele, who began the day nine shots behind, and Norway's Viktor Hovland to catch up, resulting in a three-way tie at 15-under.

Facing the possibility of a three-way playoff or worse, Matsuyama regained his form just in time. He sank a crucial 26-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th hole to reclaim the lead. With Schauffele and Hovland already in the clubhouse, Matsuyama needed just a par on the 18th to secure the win. However, he finished in style with a birdie on the final hole, ending the tournament at 17-under and clinching the victory. Schauffele and Hovland tied for second place.

Reflecting on his round, Matsuyama acknowledged the pressure he felt after falling behind but expressed relief and gratitude for his timely recovery, especially on the challenging final two holes. This win marks Matsuyama's 10th victory on the PGA Tour and his second of the season, following his triumph at the Genesis Invitational in February.

Notably, Matsuyama had to compete with a stand-in caddie after his regular caddie had his passport and Matsuyama's wallet stolen in London.

Schauffele, who won both the PGA Championship and the British Open this year, delivered a bogey-free round of 63, while Hovland, with a round of 66, faltered with a bogey on the 17th after birdies on the 15th and 16th.

The win boosts Matsuyama in the FedEx Cup playoff standings, where Scottie Scheffler currently leads, with Schauffele in second and Matsuyama projected to move up to third. The playoff field will narrow to 50 players for the BMW Championship next week in Castle Rock, Colorado, before being trimmed further to 30 for the Tour Championship in Atlanta, starting on August 29.

Additionally, 20-year-old American Nick Dunlap, who turned professional in January, secured a spot in the top-50 after tying for fifth place.