Hideki Matsuyama came within a few inches of becoming only the 10th player to make a hole-in-one with a superb tee shot to the 16th on day three of the Phoenix Open.
With a vast, expectant crowd determined to witness an ace that would prompt remarkable scenes of celebration on the loudest hole in world golf, Matsuyama did his best to send them home happy.
The defending champion may have upset a few locals last year when he edged out fan-favourite Rickie Fowler to win a tense play-off, but all would have been forgiven if his wedge at the infamous “Coliseum” had been slightly further left.
Matsuyama, one of the hottest players in the world over the last six months, made perfect connection to send his ball at the pin, but it narrowly failed to emulate the feat of Francesco Molinari two years ago – spinning back and sliding past the cup before settling less than a foot from the target.
Watch the video above to see just how close Matsuyama came to send the crowd into raptures on the 16th at TPC Scottsdale.