In 2013, Hideki Matsuyama was left awe-struck as his course partner, a certain Tiger Woods, equalled the course-record 61 on his second round at Firestone Country Club. Matsuyama claimed he "couldn't believe that anyone could shoot 61 on this golf course". Well, I'm sure he believes now. The Japanese superstar emulated Woods's 2013 performance on the final round at this year's WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

Trailing joint-leaders Zach Johnson and Thomas Pieters (-9) by two shots as Saturday drew to a close, Matsuyama really should've been viewed as a legitimate contender for the title. But he wasn't. The 25-year-old went somewhat incognito throughout the first three rounds; his functional shots not cracking the highlight reel. Matsuyama didn't like this one bit. Despite being well within range of the top spot and holding the highest position of any player inside the world's top 20, Matsuyama stayed on the range later than any other player on Saturday night, believing there was work to be done if he were to contend on the final day. And contend he did.

The man from Japan wasted no time in making amends for his absence from the highlight reels of the previous days. On just the second hole he chipped in for an eagle on the par-5, before an exquisite 135-yard approach landed three-feet from the cup to set up a birdie on the very next hole. The World No. 3 continued in this fashion with a further two birdies on the front nine (sixth and ninth) before four birdies on the back nine, including three in succession on the final three holes, made it seven birdies and an eagle for the day. Matsuyama's flawless final round catapulted him from a third-place -7 to a five-stroke lead at -16 within 24 hours.

Many had predicted world-leader Dustin Johnson to cruise to victory in Ohio, but it was another Johnson- Zach Johnson- who challenged throughout the entire tournament. Thomas Pieters also stayed in the hunt for the title until the final day, when a one-over saw him slip to fourth spot behind Matsuyama, Johnson and Charley Hoffman. Hoffman finished strongly with a -4 on Sunday to claim a ten-under for the tournament and sit just one-shot behind second-place Zach Johnson at -11. Unsurprisingly, Rory McIlroy continued his return to form with a T5 finish as he shared his -7 score with England's Paul Casey and Scotland's Russell Knox; a promising sign for British golf. Hudson Swafford (the most American name ever?) claimed perhaps the best highlight of the week, though, with his hole-in-one at the par-3 fifteenth on Friday. The 29-year-old climbed from World No. 95 to number 84 with a T10 result at Firestone- continuing his awesome rise from World No. 222 at the close of 2016.

Hideki Matsuyama now has five PGA Tour wins, including two WGC events, and sits in prime position for this week's PGA Championship. First-time winners seems to be running theme in recent majors, and nobody will be tipped for their maiden major more than Japan's number one golfer.

Hideki Matsuyama - What's in the Bag

Driver: Callaway Great Big Bertha

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade 2017 M2

Hybrid: Callaway Apex

Irons: Srixon Z965

Wedges: Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0

Putter: TaylorMade TP Mullen

Ball: Fifth Generation Srixon Z-Star XV

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com