2022 Valero Texas Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC San Antonio

3 of 11

Hideki Matsuyama, Texas Open, 2022 Valero Texas Open, Power Rankings, PGA, TPC San Antonio

Apr 1, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Hideki Matsuyama watches his shot on the 11th tee during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /

The question if Hideki Matsuyama will be able to defend his Masters’ title appears to have been put to rest with his commitment to play in this week’s Valero Texas Open.

The Japanese star was forced to pull out of the Players Championship with a lingering back injury that also kept him from last week’s WGC-Dell Match Play.

It’s a bit surprising to see him play here in San Antonio at the Texas Open

Perhaps he wants some lower stakes to ease back into competition.

Matsuyama’s making his second start at this event after finishing T-30th (67-74-73-71). He was fourth in the field in strokes gained around the green (4.438) and T-17th in SG approach (3.281). If he can drive it better this year, he can certainly contend if he’s in good health.

That’s the key for a man who was playing great golf prior to his injury concerns. The 30-year-old won the Zozo Championship in his native Japan last fall and again in January at the Sony Open, both of which count for this season’s FedEx Cup race.

He also finished in the top 10 at the WM Phoenix Open and earned T-20th in his last event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Matsuyama ranks ninth on the PGA Tour in SG tee to green (1.252 per round) and is 10th in greens in regulation (72.08%). Resiliency is an important skill at an event where wind and tough rough guard against super low scores. Hideki’s 18th in bounce back percentage (28.57%).

Home/Golf Power Rankings