Sentry 2025 Leaderboards: Matsuyama and Morikawa ready for a final duel in Kapalua

What started as a 59-player tournament earlier this week turned into a two-man battle between Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa in the Sentry 2025 final. Both golfers clearly stood out from the rest of the field, with Thomas Detry in third position, ready to complete the last trio this Sunday.

Matsuyama enters the final 18 holes at the Plantation Course with a slight one-shot lead over Morikawa, posting a score of 27 under par thanks to a new 54-hole record at the Sentry. This score also ties the lowest recorded on the PGA Tour since 1983, which Nick Dunlap recently set at the 2024 American Express.

The Japanese took control after 36 holes with a one-shot lead, but that quickly disappeared when Morikawa birdied the first hole.

The two players then exchanged blows. Matsuyama followed up with four consecutive birdies between holes 3 and 6, but that was only enough to match the pace of Morikawa, who also made two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 5th.

Wyndham Clark appeared to be the one who could turn this two-man duel into a three-way contest early Saturday. With five birdies during his first nine holes, he was ideally placed to catch up with his competitors. However, a poor tee shot on the short par-4 14th took him out of bounds, dropping him in the standings.

Solid performances were seen from Sungjae Im and Detry, but neither of them really threatened the leading duo. They continued to score birdies, increasing their advantage. Matsuyama took the lead over Morikawa on the 14th hole with an easy birdie, while Morikawa failed to get out of a bunker.

Each player’s three birdies on the final four holes completed an identical performance of 11-under 62, one stroke shy of the course record, and set up a unique clash that Golf fans have not had the opportunity to experience. to see before. Although they have previously won titles at courses such as Muirfield Village and Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Matsuyama and Morikawa have never shared such a final-defining stage. Tomorrow, one of them could capture the first marquee event of the 2025 PGA Tour season.

The leader

1. Hideki Matsuyama (-27)

After a season marked by victories at Riviera and TPC Southwind, as well as a bronze medal at the Olympic Games, Matsuyama returned to the forefront at the start of the year. After missing scoring opportunities during the final holes of his second round, he rectified his situation on Saturday.

Of his 11 birdies, a new personal best, only three were made from more than 10 feet, the longest being just over 12 feet at 4. Although much is being said about his new putter, Matsuyama has knew how to combine his traditional skills with a solid performance from tee to green.

Other candidates

2. Collin Morikawa (-26)
3. Thomas Detry (-22)
4. Sungjae Im (-21)
5. Harry Hall (-20)
T6. Max Greyserman, Will Zalatoris, Tom Hoge (-19)
T9. Corey Conners, Cam Davis, Adam Scott, Sepp Straka, Cameron Young, Maverick McNealy (-18)

This once again makes Morikawa a regular in the top 10 at Kapalua. Of the 23 rounds contested on this course, the two-time major champion has finished 14 times in the top 10. Even if he has not yet won a victory, he seems in the most accomplished form of his career.

Once known solely for his iron play, he has expanded his skills to become a well-rounded player with a varied arsenal of short shots and reliable putting. It is in this discipline that he almost lost a seven-shot lead in 2023, and it is perhaps also this area which will lead him to victory in 2025.

The third 62

Conditions were ideal for scoring on Saturday, and no player surpassed Im, who nearly tied the course record but ultimately settled for a 62. Unlike Matsuyama and Morikawa, he got to the par-5 18th. with the opportunity to break the record, without managing to finalize an additional birdie.

Im’s performance on Saturday is a reflection of his commitment to Kapalua’s journey. Although he did not win in 2024, he had set a PGA Tour record with 34 birdies over a 72-hole event. After three rounds of this tournament, he already has 23 birdies and an eagle.

Updated Odds and Picks for the 2025 Sentry

• Hideki Matsuyama: 2/3
• Collin Morikawa: 5/4
• Sungjae Im: 40-1
• Thomas Detry : 40-1

The choice appears to be undecided between the two players, but I would lean more towards Morikawa, who showed great ease on Saturday by reaching 18 greens in regulation, while dominating the field in terms of strokes gained tee to green. He appears to have a slight edge when it comes to controlling his game, making him a more attractive option to list.

Good to know

• The competition takes place at the Plantation Course, known for its lush course and varied challenges.
• Climatic conditions can influence the game; special attention should be paid to weather forecasts.
• Past performances on the PGA Tour can provide clues about how participants played at this event.