Hideki Matsuyama kicked off the new PGA Tour season with a record-breaking performance at The Sentry, which took place in Kapalua, Hawaii. He displayed exceptional golfing skills, finishing the tournament at an astonishing 35-under par. This impressive score not only earned him a three-shot lead over Collin Morikawa but also set new PGA Tour records for both total under par and the total number of birdies.

Despite achieving such a significant milestone, Matsuyama's emotions were subdued throughout the tournament. His only moment of joy came when his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, congratulated him on the 18th green after he made a final birdie. The record-breaking moment was celebrated with gratitude, as he offered a traditional Japanese blessing wishing prosperity upon his caddie, reflecting his cultural roots. Matsuyama walked away with $3.6 million for his 11th career victory, a substantial sum that brought his total career earnings to over $60 million.

The conditions at the Plantation course proved advantageous for Matsuyama, who showcased remarkable consistency, making only one bogey in the final 59 holes. He began the final round with a narrow lead, but quickly expanded it after Morikawa struggled with three-putts on consecutive holes. Matsuyama showcased his skills with an eagle on the third hole, which set the tone for the rest of the day. Despite some challenges that Morikawa mounted later in the game, Matsuyama sealed his victory with a birdie on the 16th hole.

Having won three PGA Tour events against competitive fields in the past ten months, Matsuyama's exceptional performance has propelled him to the fifth position in the world golf rankings. He now looks forward to the Sony Open in Oahu, aiming to become only the third player to win both tournaments in the same year. Notably, another highlight of the tournament included Taylor Pendrith's remarkable albatross—a hole-in-one achieved from 200 yards out, adding to the excitement of the event.