今日はソニーオープン最終日、ワイアラエカントリークラブへ。最終組は、単独首位、かつ2013年ソニーオープン優勝者のRussell Henleyと、彼を2打差で追う昨年のマスターズ覇者 Hideki Matsuyama。
Today was the final day of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club. The final pairing was Russell Henley, the sole leader and Sony Open 2018 winner, and Hideki Matsuyama, last year's Masters champion, who was trailing him by two shots.
1番ホール、Matsuyamaのティーショットがラフに。まだまだ始まったばかりだ。一喜一憂せず、カハラの美しい景色をのんびりと楽しみながら観戦。
On the first hole, Matsuyama's tee shot was in the rough. It had just begun. watched the game while relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
前半はHenleyが絶好調。Matsuyamaも悪くないが、9番は3パットのパー、Henleyがイーグル。気付くと５打差まで開いてしまった。トップ選手の勝負は少しのミスが命取りになる。
In the first half, Henley was in great form. Matsuyama wasn't bad either, but he three-putted for par on the ninth, while Henley made eagle, and found himself five shots behind.
後半のバックナイン、Matsuyamaが勝負をかけた10番。353ヤードのグリーン近くへのビッグドライブ。渾身のフルスイングの迫力を間近に観て感動する。
In the second half, Matsuyama made his move on No. 10, a big drive from 353 yards to near the green. Quite impressed by the power of his full swing.
Matsuyamaは10番に続き11番もバーディ。Henleyがボギーを叩き、一気に2打差に差が縮まり、盛り上がるギャラリー。
A birdie on No. 10 got the audience excited. Another birdie on the 11th, and he was two shots back, the gap was closing.
その後Matsuyamaは15番でもバーディーと好調で、Henleyはパー。
Matsuyama then made another birdie. Henley made par.
首位Henleyと1打差に縮めるも、両者一歩も譲らず1打差、Matsuyamaは2位のまま16、17、18番へと勝負がなだれ込む。
At the 15th, one shot behind the leader, Henley, Matsuyama was still in second place going into the 16th, 17th and 18th.
海沿いの美しい17番ショートホールは両者パーで引き分け。1打差で迎えた最終18番ホール、ギャラリーは最高潮に盛り上がる。
The 17th is a short hole by the ocean. Unfortunately, both couldn't make birdie and parred the hole. Then came the 18th hole, where Matsuyama was one shot behind the leader, R. Henley. The spectators were at their peak.
551ヤードのパー5、今日の第1の魅せ場が来た。Matsuyamaの渾身のドライバーショットは、300Y先のバンカーをゆうに越え、343Yのスーパービッグドライブ。対しHenleyのティーショットはバンカーへ。
On the 551-yard par 5, Matsuyama's tee shot was a super big 343-yard drive over a sand trap 300 yards away. Henley's tee shot went into the trap.
Matsuyamaが2オン、Henleyが3オンでグリーンに乗せた瞬間、観客が一斉にロープを乗り越えてフェアウェイに入り18番グリーンを取り囲んだ。
後の優勝インタビューによると、Matsuyamaはグリーンでギャラリーに囲まれたのが初めての体験でビックリしたらしい。特に5打差でスタートしたバックナインは、ファンの声援が励みになり良いプレーにつながった、と答えている。やはりスポーツはファン有ってこそ。
The moment Matsuyama hit two and Henley three shots on the green, the spectators all ran over the rope, entered into the fairway and surrounded the 18th green.
According to Matsuyama's later interview, it was the first time he had been surrounded on the green and was surprised. He said that the cheering of the fans encouraged him to play well, especially in the second half when he started the day with a five-shot lead. After all, sports are only as good as the fans.
最終ホールでMatsuyamaがドラマチックなバーディーを取り、試合はまさかのプレイオフへ突入。
Matsuyama made a dramatic birdie on the last hole, and the match unexpectedly went into a playoff.
プレイオフの18番、今日の第2の魅せ場、歴史に残るMatsuyamaのミラクル・セカンドショットが出た。美しいフェードボールでピン手前1ｍにズドン。
「3Wのセカンドショットは、逆光で見えなかったが完ぺきだった」とインタビューで語っている。グリーン横にいるギャラリーの大歓声で、素晴らしいショットだと分かったらしい。今度は観客をグリーンに入れさせなかった。Matsuyamaはイーグルパットを沈め、見事に逆転優勝。今回の18番グリーンだけは観客席で観たかった。
On the 18th hole of the playoff, today's second highlight, Matsuyama's miracle second shot would be memorized in history. It was a beautiful fade ball landed 1m in front of the pin.
In a lator interview, he said, "I couldn't see the 3W second shot because of the backlight, but it was perfect. He knew it was a great shot when the spectators next to the green cheered loudly. This time, he didn't let the crowd into the green. Matsuyama sank the eagle putt and won the tournament in an amazing comeback. The only thing wanted to do this time was to watch the 18th green from the patrons stand.
Matsuyamaの劇的な優勝で幕を閉じたソニーオープン2022。ギャラリーが大いに沸き、両選手の素晴らしいプレイに魅せられた長く楽しい１日だった。
The Sony Open 2022 ended with Matsuyama's dramatic victory, and it was a long and enjoyable day that spectators enjoyed and were fascinated by the great play of both players.
素晴らしい試合を楽しみ、興奮冷めやらず、カハラホテルへ向かう。カハラのビーチに陽が沈み静かな夕暮れがやってきた。
After enjoying the wonderful game, headed to The Kahala, still excited. The sun was setting on the beach at Kahala and a quiet dusk was coming.
今頃、Matsuyamaは美酒に酔っているかな。 Wondered if Matsuyama was enjoying wines.
