When people look back at the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, they're going to remember a lot of things. Namely, they will remember Rickie Fowler with a two shot lead hitting an unfortunate drive on 17 that found the water and lead to his lead evaporating. They will also remember Fowler's poor tee shot on the fourth playoff hole that lead to his ultimate defeat. Finally, they will remember a choked up Fowler talking about how he felt like he had the tournament won, and how he was hoping to win in front of his grandfather, who had never seen him win in person before.

Unfortunately, people will likely not remember Hideki Matsuyama and his triumph, which is a shame. Matsuyama wasn't just the fortunate benefactor to Fowler's collapse - he proved he belonged on the big stage with one of the best players in the world. Fowler's tee shot on 17 lead to him bogeying the hole, while Hideki left with a birdie. Fowler still had the opportunity to win on the 72nd hole of the tournament, and stuck his approach shot within 10 feet of the hole for a sure birdie. Hideki, needing a make to force a playoff, nailed a clutch 15 foot putt to extend the tournament.

At 18, the 72nd hole, the putt I made there was probably the best putt I have ever made in my life,” Hideki said after the round.

If Hideki does not make that birdie putt, no one remembers Fowler's drive on the 17th. 

In the playoff, Hideki had several opportunities to put the tournament away with Fowler hitting poor approach shots to the green on the second and third playoff holes. Fowler, however, was able to hit some massive chip shots, and Hideki was unable to sink some tournament winning birdie putts, and so the tournament went to a fourth playoff hole, where Fowler hit his tee shot into the water. If Hideki is able to make any of those previous birdie putts, no one even sees Fowler's poor drive.

Therein lies the issue with hindsight. While it is easy to see how Fowler's decision caused him to lose the tournament, we don't know the outcome if he plays that hole differently. What happens if Hideki birdies 17, and Fowler is only able to make par? Perhaps he plays the 18th differently knowing he only has a one shot lead. A birdie on the 17th likely puts the tournament out of reach, so Fowler would be rewarded with his aggressive play if he is able to pull it off. (Chris Solomon of No Laying Up has more on the decision and the hindsight at SBNation.)

Hideki not only played well all week and put himself in position to win after playing with Rickie on Sunday, but he also gets rewarded for his persistence and great play over the last two years. After winning the 2014 Memorial tournament, Hideki spent 2015 racking up top 10 finishes. He finished inside the top 10 nine times last year, including at the Phoenix Open. He moves up to 12th in the Official World Golf Rankings, and he becomes only the second Japanese golfer to win multiple times on the PGA Tour. With all due respect to Shigeki Maruyama, he may be the most influential Japanese golfer in 30 years, and has a whole nation wondering if they can finally see one of their own walking away with a major championship. Hideki is on the verge of being placed in that elite class of golfers, and his ball striking is among the best, if not THE best, on the PGA Tour. He showed he belonged in the conversation with the world's best, and this is likely his second of many championships.

And yet, even Hideki knows that the conversation will be about Fowler.

"Surprised and sad that Rickie finished that way, but all I can do is my best," Matsuyama said through a translator. "I was lucky to come out on top."

Hideki doesn't have to apologize for being the Phoenix Open champion. He put himself in position to win by having a flawless final round. He forced a playoff by making two birdies on the final two holes. And he did it all with a country's hopes on his shoulders, and a rowdy group of fans rooting against him. 

Take a bow, Hideki-san. You've earned this. 

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