World number four Xander Schauffele won for the first time since the 2024 Open Championship with a one-shot victory at the Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama.
The 31-year-old, who made his major breakthroughs last year with success at Troon and in the US PGA Championship, triumphed on familiar territory as he won his Olympic gold medal in Tokyo. His mother lived in Japan as a child and his grandparents still reside there.
Seven birdies and just one bogey saw him card a seven-under 64 to finish 19-under and hold off the challenge of Max Greyserman, with whom he shared the lead going into the final day, for his 10th win on his 200th PGA Tour start.
Greyserman was inches away from forcing a play-off after almost holing out from 182 yards at the last.
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"It was one of those days when the wind died down and I knew I had to make birdies," said Schauffele, whose start to the season was delayed by a rib injury which impacted his form and restricted him to just three top-10s all year.
"I was plenty nervous. It's been over a year since I was even looking at winning a golf tournament.
"It’ll be nice to see my grandparents and parents.
"It feels good. It’s nice to know I’ve still got it. It was a rough year, we had a longer off-season than I thought we’d have.
"It was a big learning experience with the injury this year."
Matt McCarty, requiring a three at his last hole for a 58 after eight successive birdies, hit his tee shot out of bounds but managed to salvage a bogey for a 60 and finish 10 under.
