Posted January 10, 2017 in "Watts" In The Bag by RDgolf
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Justin Thomas had to sweat it out more than he wanted to enjoy that view down the 18th hole at Kapalua on Sunday.
Thomas had a five-shot lead with five holes to play when he was caught in a battle with Hideki Matsuyama down the stretch in the SBS Tournament of Champions. Thomas responded with a defining shot in his young career, an 8-iron approach he ripped from 214 yards to 3 feet on the 17th.
Matsuyama, one shot behind and needing birdie to stay in the game, ran his 30-foot putt about 8 feet by the hole and three-putted for bogey. Thomas knocked in his short putt for a three-shot lead, and he went on to another birdie for a 4-under 69 and a three-shot victory.
Thomas won for the second time this season, and third time in his career. His other two PGA TOUR titles were at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Driver: Titleist 917D3 (9.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana White Board 73X
3 & 5 Wood: Titleist 917F3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon S+ Limited Edition 80TX
Irons: Titleist 716 MB (4-9)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Vokey SM5 (52-12 F Grind, 56-14 F Grind), Vokey SM6 (46-10 F-Grind, 60K)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (46), S400 (52, 56, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron X5 Prototype (flow neck)
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x