Hideki Matsuyama found himself in a tense situation during the closing moments of the PGA Tour‘s WM Phoenix Open, where a crucial putt caught the lip of the cup when a simple par would have secured tournament victory.
The dramatic moment unfolded as Matsuyama, who has been a consistent performer on the PGA Tour, faced what appeared to be a routine finishing hole at the Stadium Course. However, golf’s unpredictable nature intervened when his putt for par caught the edge of the hole, leaving spectators and viewers watching on CBS holding their breath.
Stadium Course Drama
The WM Phoenix Open takes place on the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish-designed Stadium Course, which underwent renovation in 2014. The venue is renowned worldwide for attracting the largest crowds of any golf tournament globally, creating an electric atmosphere that can both inspire and intimidate players in crucial moments.
While the course is most famous for its par-3 16th hole, known as “The Coliseum” for its amphitheater-like setting filled with enthusiastic fans, every hole during the tournament carries weight when a title is on the line. The pressure-packed environment of the WM Phoenix Open has produced countless memorable moments throughout its history.
Final Hole Pressure
Matsuyama’s situation exemplifies the mental challenges that professional golfers face, particularly when tournament victory hangs in the balance. A seemingly straightforward par putt becomes significantly more complex when it represents the difference between celebration and continued competition.
The Japanese golfer, who has established himself as one of the world’s elite players, now faces additional work to close out the tournament after the lip-out. Such moments test a player’s composure and ability to execute under the most intense pressure that professional golf can provide.
The WM Phoenix Open continues to deliver the kind of drama that has made it one of the most anticipated stops on the PGA Tour calendar, where the unique atmosphere and passionate crowds create an environment unlike any other in professional golf.
It hit the lip 😮
Hideki needs a par to win @WMPhoenixOpen … but he has work ahead.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/zXqhoym2Tj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2026
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