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2021 The Northern Trust: Top 10 power rankings at Liberty National

By Mike Randleman

The Statue of Liberty is seen beyond the 18th tee in the final round of the PGA Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Course on Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Jersey City.Pga Northern Trust Final Round
The Statue of Liberty is seen beyond the 18th tee in the final round of the PGA Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Course on Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Jersey City.Pga Northern Trust Final Round /
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September 27, 2017; Jersey City, NJ, USA; International Team golfer Hideki Matsuyama warms up on the first tee during the practice round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament at Liberty National Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 27, 2017; Jersey City, NJ, USA; International Team golfer Hideki Matsuyama warms up on the first tee during the practice round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament at Liberty National Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

What better way to prepare for the FedEx Cup Playoffs than to play in a bunch of playoffs, right?

Hideki Matsuyama has found himself in the heat of the action a lot lately. He lost out on a seven-way playoff for the bronze medal at the Olympics. The odds were better for him to take the top prize the next week at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Matsuyama was in a three-man playoff with Sam Burns and Abraham Ancer.

It was Ancer’s time as Matsuyama’s long range birdie putt on the second playoff hole just barely missed.

It’s tough for him to fall short of medaling in his home country’s Olympics, but there was no shame in fighting jet lag to contend again the next week.

Now with a week to rest up, he’s poised to get back on the horse and make some damage at East Lake.

The 29-year-old Masters champion is at Liberty National for the third time.

He was on the International team at the 2017 Presidents Cup where he won his singles match 3&1 against Justin Thomas.

Matsuyama returned to New Jersey in 2019 for The Northern Trust. Rounds of 68-68-70-72 netted him T-30th. He was third in the field in strokes gained around the green (1.46), so if his usual elite ball striking is there, this can be a good venue for him.

Matsuyama ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in SG approach (.799), He’s fourth in approach proximity from 125-150 yards (18’10”) and 16th in par-5 scoring (4.55).

The six-time PGA Tour winner has won two WGCs and a major. He’d love to add his first FedEx Cup Playoffs trophy to the resume.

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