The golf world now knows what went wrong for Hideki Matsuyama at the WM Phoenix Open playoff.

On February 8, 2026, Matsuyama was one shot away from winning in the playoffs. Yet just as he began his swing, a mishap from the security broke his focus and may have cost him the win. 

Sam Harrop shared a video posted by Austina Garcia showing the noise generated from behind the stands while Hideki Matsuyama was mid-swing.

"Been waiting for the recording that gives us a better idea of what actually happened on the tee box on the playoff hole," Harrop wrote on X on February 8.

"The sound is apparently a chair being dropped by a member of staff. Of all the times for that to happen…brutal for Hideki," added the Sliced Podcast host.

Gabby Herzig from The Athletic was there and said the same thing. "Sounds like what distracted Hideki this time was a security person accidentally dropping a chair right as he started his backswing," Herzig wrote on X.

She posted again that day and explained more about the noise. "It basically sounded like metal hitting concrete. Not Pleasant." Herzig explained.

How does this affect Matsuyama’s season?

The six-time PGA Tour winner came to Phoenix in good health. He played for the win and nearly got there. In the end, Matsuyama finished second after losing to Chris Gotterup.

Both players were tied at 16-under, but Gotterup won with a birdie on the first playoff hole. While this was certainly a setback, it's quite early in the season, and Hideki Matsuyama is looking to bounce back.

"Learn from it and move on to next week," he told the press after the loss. And next week, he'll get that chance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am running from February 12 to 15.

So what's your take on the unfortunate incident that messed up the crucial swing for Hideki Matsuyama? Let us knowin the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi