It was a good run for Hideki Matsuyama. The 33-year-old from Japan hadn’t missed a cut in a major championship since the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie—19 straight starts (including his 2021 Masters victory) marking the longest active streak entering this week’s PGA Championship.
But a second-round two-over 73 at Quail Hollow Club on Friday—capped with a bogey on his last hole—combined with an opening-round 72, meant Matsuyama would be heading home early. The cutline was projected to fall at either one-over 143 or two-over 144. Either way, Matsuyama’s three-over total wasn’t going to be good enough.
Mind you, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. On Monday, when Quail Hollow was being dumped on by rain, Matsuyama gave us one of the all-time classic “What’s he doing?!?” moments.
Hideki Matsuyama putting the work in at Quail Hollow — no matter the conditions. PGA Coach Brendon Elliott shares below how practicing in difficult elements builds a strong mental game.
🎥: Austin Eckroat, IG pic.twitter.com/GelWVsmo0u
— PGA of America (@PGA) May 13, 2025
Now that’s dedication, although we’re still not entire sure what he was trying to accomplish there.
The same goes for what he wound up doing after the second round on Friday. Cameras caught Matsuyama retreating to Quail Hollow’s driving range, where he appeared determine to blow off a little steam.
Hideki channeling his inner Bryson?! pic.twitter.com/6cNwmi80lR
— Sam Harrop (@sam_golf) May 16, 2025
Not sure if it was anger or frustration that prompt Matsuyama’s range rage, but it feels understandable either way, ESPN commentator Scott Van Pelt aptly describing Matsuyama as “absolutely obliterating golf balls.” It’s almost like it had been so long since Matsuyama had missed the cut in a major, he didn’t exactly know what to do with himself.
At any rate, congrats to Hideki on the streak itself. It was fun while it lasted.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
