Hideki Matsuyama gives verdict on playing the FedEx Cup finale as back still not 100%

Just a few days after his win at the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the BMW Championship when he was just one stroke behind the leader. The PGA Tour star had to deal with terrible pain due to a chronic back injury.

Following his win at the first FedEx Cup playoffs event, his decision to sit out the second event did not affect his standing. Matsuyama is eligible to play in the playoffs finale, the Tour Championship at the East Lake Golf Club in Georgia. However, golf enthusiasts worldwide are eager to see if his physical well being would enable him to play.

According to Golf Channel and NBC reporter Todd Lewis, Matsuyama was spotted practicing for the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Here's what Lewis' statement had to say (via X):

"After pulling out of the @BMWChamps with back issues Hideki Matsuyama is prepping for the @TOURChamp at East Lake. According to his team Hideki’s back is not 100% but he intends to play this week. Matsuyama will start the Championship in 3rd place, 3 shots behind Scheffler."

Matsuyama has been suffering from chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain for a some time. He withdrew from the 2023 BMW Championship due to back trouble as well. The PGA Tour also stated that he had been dealing with "intermittent neck pain" for the majority of the 2023 season.

Last week's BMW Championship marked Hideki Matsuyama's second withdrawal of the 202 season. Just a couple weeks after winning the 2024 Genesis Invitational, he withdrew from the Wells Fargo Championship due to "tightness" in his back that resulted in a great deal of pain. The 32-year-old has withdrawn from five events over the last two seasons.

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Hideki Matsuyama 2024 PGA Tour season results

Hideki Matsuyama has made 18 starts on the PGA Tour so far this year. Having missed the cut at only one event, he has recorded six top-ten finishes and two victories.

Here's a look into the ten-time PGA Tour winner's finishes this season:

• The Sentry - 58th place (8-under par)
• Sony Open - T30 (9-under par)
• Farmers Insurance Open - T13 (8-under par)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - T71 (even par)
• WM Phoenix Open - T22 (9-under par)
• Genesis Invitational - WIN (17-under par)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational - T12 (3-under par)
• Players Championship - T6 (15-under par)
• Valero Texas Open - T7 (8-under par)
• Masters - T38 (7-over par)
• PGA Championship - T35 (8-under par)
• Memorial Tournament - T8 (1-under par)
• US Open - 6th place (2-under par)
• Travellers Championship - T23 (12-under par)
• Genesis Scottish Open - CUT (2-under par)
• Open Championship - T66 (12-over par)
• FedEx St. Jude Championship - WIN (17-under par)
• BMW Championship - WD (5-under par)