Day victorious at MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins

Jason Day emerged as the big winner at the MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins over Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama.

The 12-time PGA TOUR winner picked up a cool $180,000 on the final two holes at Accordia Golf Narshino Country Club in Japan – to take home $210,000 of the $350,000 prize money on offer.

The four-man shootout was held to kick start the week of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, Japan’s first-ever PGA TOUR event.

All four players had a chance to take the title on the final hole, but it was the Australian who prevailed with a clutch birdie to take the trophy.

Day won three skins with a birdie on the par-3 3rd, then collected four more on the par-4 17th with a clutch 12-foot par putt.

The former world No.1 and THE PLAYERS champion then claimed the par-5 18th $100,000 super skin with an up-and-down birdie under the lights.

“It was fun. It’s nice to be able to beat the caliber of player I did today,” Day said after accepting the trophy.

“It was nice to be able to hole some putts coming down the stretch, hit some good shots. The short game really showed up today and that's usually my strength of my game.”

Woods and McIlroy both picked up $60,000, while Matsuyama claimed $20,000.

Playing in his first event since mid-August and following a fifth procedure on his left knee to repair some cartilage damage, Woods looked physically fit, although clearly a little rusty.

“I did not play well at the beginning. I hit a lot of bad shots and did not putt well,” Woods said.
“Once I got into the flow of competing and feeling the round, it just got exciting. We were competitive, the banter was great, the back and forth.”

The 81-time PGA TOUR winner still managed to collect five skins and showed he may still yet pick himself for the Presidents Cup, set for Dec. 12-15 at Royal Melbourne. His play during the main tournament this week will bring more clues as to his plans a potential pick of himself.

“This is my, what, fifth operation on it, so I understand what it takes to come back from it,” Woods said earlier of his left knee arthroscope.

“It's been nice to have it moving again and not having it catch and lock up like it has been. It's just wear and tear over the years. It's been stressed out for a very long time and it's nice to have it cleaned up.

“I'm excited about having this end-of-the-year run where I'm feeling much more fit and I don't have the achiness that I've been dealing with for the last couple years.”

McIlroy started slowly, but the FedExCup champion and PGA TOUR Player of the Year was hot through the middle portion of the competition, claiming four skins and serving as the catalyst to a handful of halves.

He took time out mid-competition to address Brooks Koepka’s comments last week when the American dismissed a rivalry between the pair by saying, “I’ve been out here for what, five years. Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA TOUR… so I don't view it as a rivalry.”

The Northern Irishman was diplomatic in response.

“What Brooks said wasn’t wrong. He’s been the best player in the world the last couple of years, four majors…,” McIlroy said.

“I don’t think he had to remind me that I hadn’t won one in a while but I love Brooks, he’s a great guy, obviously super competitive like we all are.

“If you take what Brooks said out of context then obviously it can become this big thing it has become but Brooks and I are good, we are good friends and I’ve been really happy for him to see how good he has played over the last couple of years.”

Matsuyama picked up just one skin, but still provided one of the great highlights when he made a 35-foot bomb during a rugby challenge hole. Teamed up with South African rugby legend Brian Habana, Matsuyama drained the long putt, only to be caught by surprise when the big burly South African jumped up into his arms.

“It was very fun to be able to play with these three great players, but disappointed that I only had one skin,” Matsuyama said before confirming his back was fine after his impromptu heavy weights session.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the week which is an exciting one for Japanese golf.”

All four will be part of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP field that will tee it up starting Thursday.

Below are the final results and hole-by-hole recap of the MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins.

Related: Leaderboard | Everything you need to know about MGM Resorts The Challenge | Visual Stories: MGM Resorts The Challenge

JASON DAY: Skins: 8 ($210,000) | Fairways: 7 of 13 | Greens 11 of 18 | Putts: 27

TIGER WOODS: Skins: 5 ($60,000) | Fairways: 5 of 13 | Greens: 10 of 18 | Putts: 26

RORY MCILROY: Skins: 4 ($60,000) | Fairways: 5 of 13 | Greens: 13 of 18 | Putts: 28

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Skins: 1 ($20,000) | Fairways: 3 of 13 | Greens: 10 of 18 | Putts: 25

Hole No. 1 (Par-4)

Leading us off is Tiger Woods. He takes driver and it’s headed left. Next up is Jason Day, and his driver is also a little to the left and finds the rough. Rory McIlroy’s driver is headed to the right. We have our first “fore!” call! And last but certainly not least – especially in the fans' eyes – Hideki Matsuyama’s driver also drifts left and finds the rough. First on approach attempt is McIlroy, but from the tree line, he comes up short. Woods changes clubs, takes 9-iron and is not on the dance floor. Day shows them all how to play from the rough and hits it expertly in close. Matsuyama can’t respond and also comes up short. Woods takes a couple of hacks from the left side of the green and is conceded a bogey. McIlroy and Matsuyama can’t chip in and take pars. Day has a 6-footer for birdie and Woods tells him to “lag it up close." Day makes sure it gets there with pace, but it lips out hard off the right edge. The first chance at cash goes begging.

RESULT: $10,000 Skin halved. Hole No. 2 worth $20,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (0 of 1) | Greens: Miss (0 of 1) | Putts: 1 (1) | Skins: 0

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (0 of 1) | Greens: Miss (0 of 1) | Putts: 1 (1) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Miss (0 of 1) | Greens: Hit (1 of 1) | Putts: 2 (2) | Skins: 0

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (0 of 1) | Greens: Miss (0 of 1) | Putts: 1 (1) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 2 (Par-4)

After all four players missed the fairway on the opening hole with driver, they all pull irons on the second and all find the short grass. But on approach, only Woods and Matsuyama find the green as Day and McIlroy spin their balls back hard off the surface. McIlroy’s opening effort with putter from the fringe is a shocker and has both Day and Woods holding back laughter. Day from the fringe lags up close and makes par. Woods birdie try from 20 feet goes well long. McIlroy lets Woods know – “At least I can blame it on the fringe”. Meanwhile, Matsuyama has a putt to win $20,000, but it stays out to the right and he secures the half to set up a three hole jackpot worth $30,000.

RESULT: $20,000 Skin halved (Day, Matsuyama, McIlroy, Woods). Hole No. 3 worth $30,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Hit (1 of 2) | Greens: Hit (1 of 2) | Putts: 2 (3) | Skins: 0

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Hit (1 of 2) | Greens: Miss (0 of 2) | Putts: 1 (2) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (1 of 2) | Greens: Miss (1 of 2) | Putts: 1 (3) | Skins: 0

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Hit (1 of 2) | Greens: Hit (1 of 2) | Putts: 2 (3) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 3 (Par-3)

It’s just 152 yards here on the third and Woods is up first. He has yanked it hard to the left and it’s bounced hard off the concrete path. It’s bobbling around and won’t end up in a good spot. Day stands up next and stiffs one to inside 10 feet. McIlroy blocks his a little right and finds the green, but faces a monster birdie putt. Matsuyama knows he needs to step up and while he finds the fringe, it is under the hole and in a makeable spot. Woods, in fact, has watched his ball come all the way back down the path and leaves him a wedge back up to the elevated green. He overshoots into a bunker. When he gets there ,McIlroy has to let him know he’s still away. Woods splashes out, but not close enough. He is given a bogey. McIlroy’s long putt is tracking the entire way, but comes up just a foot short. Matsuyama’s putt from the fringe gets caught up and is not even close, leaving Day a chance to get on the board. He makes no mistake and collects the three jackpot skins as his putt falls in from the left side.

RESULT: $30,000 Skin won by JASON DAY

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: N/A (1 of 2) | Greens: Miss (1 of 3) | Putts: 1 (4) | Skins: 0

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: N/A (1 of 2) | Greens: Hit (1 of 3) | Putts: 2 (4) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: N/A (1 of 2) | Greens: Hit (2 of 3) | Putts: 1 (4) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: N/A (1 of 2) | Greens: Miss (1 of 3) | Putts: 1 (4) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 4 (Par-4)

Golf courses in Japan often have two greens, and the fourth here is no exception. On this hole, players have been given the option to go for whichever green they choose and they don’t even have to announce which one it is. It is part of a charity challenge where $100,000 will go to the winner's charity of choice. Woods, Day and McIlroy split the fairway from the tee, but Matsuyama has tugged his tee shot left and it has found a watery grave. After a drop, he takes a rip for the putting surfaces, but still has work to do. He wedges on to the right green in four shots. Woods refuses to tell Day which green he’s going for and ends up splitting the two. Day’s approach is fat and misses the right green short. McIlroy takes dead aim after his monster drive and has a great look at birdie on the left green. With Matsuyama and Day unable to make par on the right side, McIlroy is in great shape, but his birdie try never looks good. Woods, meanwhile, gets up-and-down for par and now McIlroy has a little 3-foot knee-knocker for a half. He makes it to send this skin to the next.

RESULT: $10,000 Skin halved (McIlroy, Woods). Hole No. 5 worth $20,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Hit (2 of 3) | Greens: Miss (1 of 4) | Putts: 1 (5) | Skins: 0

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Hit (2 of 3) | Greens: Hit (2 of 4) | Putts: 2 (6) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (2 of 3) | Greens: Miss (2 of 4) | Putts: 2 (6) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (1 of 3) | Greens: Miss (1 of 4) | Putts: 1 (5) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 5 (Par-3)

At just 177 yards, this should be a snack right? Not quite. Day goes first and finds the water that guards the right side of the hole. Woods goes next and makes sure he doesn’t do the same, but instead goes well left into a bunker. Amazingly, McIlroy follows Day into the water, leaving Matsuyama a free shot at the green. The crowd is excited for what they hope will be the local man’s big chance, but he hits his 8-iron fat and becomes the third participant in the drink. The water boys all chip up inside 10-feet and Day secures a bogey for them all. Woods splashes out of the sand to five feet and has it for the win. He goes mini-Kevin Na and walks it in despite some trash talk from his competitors trying to get in his head. The 81-time PGA TOUR winner gets two skins for his trouble.

RESULT: $20,000 Skin won by TIGER WOODS.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: N/A (2 of 3) | Greens: Miss (1 of 5) | Putts: 1 (6) | Skins: 2 ($20,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: N/A (2 of 3) | Greens: Miss (2 of 5) | Putts: 1 (7) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: N/A (2 of 3) | Greens: Miss (2 of 5) | Putts: 1 (7) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: N/A (1 of 3) | Greens: Miss (1 of 5) | Putts: 1 (6) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 6 (Par-5)

Time to showcase some power on our first par-5 after everyone finds the fairway, but it’s still a long way home. Despite all four going with muscle, no one finds the putting surface in two. McIlroy is in the sand, but the rest are coming up from the grass. Day’s chip is the best of the bunch as it stops about six inches from the cup and is an easy birdie. Woods is unable to match it from about 18 feet. McIlroy tries to do so from 12 feet and is successful, so we move on. And it’s time to up the ante with skins now worth $15,000 each hole so the next will be worth $25,000.

RESULT: $10,000 Skin halved (Day, McIlroy, Matsuyama). Hole No. 7 worth $25,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Hit (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (2 of 6) | Putts: 2 (8) | Skins: 2 ($20,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Hit (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (3 of 6) | Putts: 1 (8) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (3 of 6) | Putts: 1 (8) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Hit (2 of 4) | Greens: Hit (2 of 6) | Putts: 1 (7) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 7 (Par-3)

Time for some fun with some supreme athletes outside the realm of golf. It is the rugby challenge hole, given the Rugby World Cup is currently taking place in Japan. We will go with two-person teams in a scramble format. The two-man team that wins gets $100,000 from FedEx Cares donated to the International Youth Foundation in their names. Each golfer gets a former rugby star to join them. First up is Mike Tindall, who was part of England’s 2003 World Cup winning side – he gets to play with Woods. Despite just 144 yards on the par-3 to negotiate, the rugby boys feel a little nervous. Tindall makes a good pass at it, but it misses the green left. Woods bails him out though with a beauty to 10 feet. Next up is Australian Wallaby legend George Gregan. This little guy was famous for chopping down men twice his size in his heyday. His golf shot heads well left, though. His countryman Day steps up, though, and hits it about 10 feet right of the cup. Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll steps up next and takes it right over the pin. Adrenaline has got the better of him just a little and it’s onto the back fringe. McIlroy gives the team 20 feet with his effort. Brian Habana from South Africa is next… boy he was lightning fast in his day… he has airmailed the green despite a great strike. Matsuyama finds the surface but it will be a lengthy putt for his team from some 35 feet. Habana comes up a little short but then boooooom! Matsuyama drains it and Habana leaps onto his teammate… can’t imagine Hideki was ready to lift a huge rugby guy today! Not to be outdone, O’Driscoll takes aim from 20 feet and drills it home! This rugby star can putt! Tindall and Woods fail in their attempts and Gregan misses on the right side. Day cleans up the hole with a birdie of his own.

RESULT: $25,000 Skin halved (Day, McIlroy, Matsuyama). Hole No. 8 worth $40,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: N/A (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (3 of 7) | Putts: 2 (10) | Skins: 2 ($20,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: N/A (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (4 of 7) | Putts: 1 (9) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: N/A (3 of 4) | Greens: Hit (4 of 7) | Putts: 1 (9) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: N/A (2 of 4) | Greens: Hit (3 of 7) | Putts: 1 (8) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 8 (Par-4)

Back to regular programming for the par-4 8th. McIlroy is the only player to find the fairway as Woods hits right rough, Day hits left rough and Matsuyama goes deep in the woods. Japan’s favorite son is unable to escape on his second shot and takes himself out of the hole, but the three other approach shots set up what looks like an ‘around the world’ putting challenge. They have the hole surrounded from around 12 feet or so. Day misses, McIlroy slides his right, but Woods makes no mistake. “How about that? It’s all about timing,” Woods grins as he cleans up $40,000 with a birdie.

RESULT: $40,000 Skin won by TIGER WOODS.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (3 of 5) | Greens: Hit (4 of 8) | Putts: 2 (10) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Hit (4 of 5) | Greens: Hit (5 of 8) | Putts: 2 (11) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Miss (3 of 5) | Greens: Hit (5 of 8) | Putts: 2 (11) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (2 of 5) | Greens: Miss (3 of 8) | Putts: 0 (8) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 9 (Par-4)

The boys are laughing on the tee here after reading the yardage book. It simply says of the right side - “It gets dicey over there.” Matsuyama and McIlroy are going to find out after missing wide. Woods is also right, but just in the first cut while Day finds the fairway. From the trees, Matsuyama threads the needle to escape, but has found the crowd on the left side of the green. McIlroy is blocked out from the green, but carves a shot nicely onto the surface, albeit some distance from home. Woods – the new leader – gets it aboard nicely. Day takes advantage of his position off the tee and goes over the flag to set up a nice look at birdie. McIlroy and Woods nerding out on golf altitude talk on the way to the green about the World Golf Championships – Mexico Championship and how they adjust their numbers. Matsuyama chips up and on to give himself a look at par. From almost downtown Tokyo, McIlroy almost nails his birdie try as it skirts by the edge. Woods hammers his uphill birdie try and it jumps over the cup… maybe he should have left the pin in. Day has a chance to win $15,000 with his birdie try from 20 feet but it is low all the way and he’s pretty annoyed at himself. Matsuyama misses his par try, but is given bogey. Woods and Day clean up pars to send us towards a $30,000 10th hole.

RESULT: $15,000 Skin halved by Woods, Day, McIlroy. Hole No. 10 worth $30,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (3 of 6) | Greens: Hit (5 of 9) | Putts: 2 (12) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (4 of 6) | Greens: Hit (6 of 9) | Putts: 2 (13) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (4 of 6) | Greens: Hit (6 of 9) | Putts: 2 (13) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (2 of 6) | Greens: Miss (3 of 9) | Putts: 2 (10) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 10 (Par-4)

Woods, Day and McIlroy go with less than driver to find the fairway here, but Matsuyama is ready to get aggressive as he tries to get on the board. He bombs his drive over the top of the others and while it rolls into the first cut, it is in great shape. They are playing to an elevated green here and Woods goes deep into the green. McIlroy throws a dart though and is in near-concession range. Day comes up a little short onto the fringe, but Matsuyama gives himself a great look to match McIlroy. Day is unable to make birdie but secures a par. Woods does the same. Hideki drains his short birdie putt, but McIlroy stops his chance at cash by making his tap-in also. The two players without a dollar send this to a $45,000 11th hole.

RESULT: $30,000 Skin halved (Matsuyama, McIlroy). Hole No. 11 worth $45,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Hit (4 of 7) | Greens: Hit (6 of 10) | Putts: 2 (14) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Hit (5 of 7) | Greens: Hit (7 of 10) | Putts: 1 (14) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (5 of 7) | Greens: Miss (6 of 10) | Putts: 2 (15) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (2 of 7) | Greens: Hit (4 of 10) | Putts: 1 (11) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 11 (Par-4)

Day splits the fairway, but no such luck for the other three. Woods and Matsuyama miss on the left side, while McIlroy loses his way right into the crowd where it cannons further right. “I hope that was the cart path and not someone’s head,” McIlroy says with concern. Woods is giggling a little as he’s left himself way back, leaving him to debate with caddie Joe LaCava on their strategy. Having to hit 3-wood into a par-4 green, Woods misses into the right bunkers on approach. Day also finds the right bunkers. McIlroy, playing from the wrong hole, finds the green as does Matsuyama from the left rough. They might have another chance to get started here. Woods' ball is buried in the sand and he’s lucky to muscle it out. Day also has plenty of work left to make a par after his sand shot. Woods comes up short on his fourth shot and is given bogey. Day does the same. Matsuyama’s birdie putt is a curling downhill effort that he tries to baby in, but has to settle for par. McIlroy has a shot at $45,000 but it slides by and once again the two guys without a skin halve the hole and make the next worth $60,000.

RESULT: $45,000 Skin halved (Matsuyama, McIlroy). Hole No. 12 worth $60,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (4 of 8) | Greens: Miss (6 of 11) | Putts: 1 (15) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 8) | Greens: Hit (8 of 11) | Putts: 2 (16) | Skins: 0

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (6 of 8) | Greens: Miss (6 of 11) | Putts: 2 (17) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (2 of 8) | Greens: Hit (5 of 11) | Putts: 2 (13) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 12 (Par-4)

Another hole with an elevated green awaits. Three guys bomb away to reach a steep downhill section hoping to get to the bottom of the slope. They all roll into the first cut on the right. Day goes left and is in the trees up on top of the hill. No worries, though, as he finds the green on approach. McIlroy, however, almost slam dunks his approach into the hole and Matsuyama goes over the pin to also get a good look. Woods appears to stick his shot also, but he’s spun it back just enough to catch a ridge and feed well back from the hole.

McIlroy is now talking about Brooks Koepka’s comments last week when he dismissed a rivalry between the pair by saying, “I’ve been out here for what, five years. Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA TOUR… so I don't view it as a rivalry.” McIlroy says “What Brooks said wasn’t wrong. He’s been the best player in the world the last couple of years, four majors… don’t think he had to remind me that I hadn’t won one in a while but I love Brooks, he’s a great guy, obviously super competitive like we all are. If you take what Brooks said out of context then obviously it can become this big thing it has become but Brooks and I are good, we are good friends and I’ve been really happy for him to see how good he has played over the last couple of years.”

Day is first to putt for birdie, but it goes well past. Woods also can’t convert from the wrong tier. Matsuyama has a little collar to work around and can’t make birdie, but makes par, leaving McIlroy with a chance for the big cash. Day secures par for himself and Woods in the process. McIlroy then steps up and drains the birdie to clean up four skins and $60,000 to join Woods with the most cash so far.

RESULT: $60,000 Skin won by RORY McILROY

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (4 of 9) | Greens: Hit (7 of 12) | Putts:2 (17) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 9) | Greens: Hit (9 of 12) | Putts: 1 (17) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (6 of 9) | Greens: Hit (7 of 12) | Putts: 2 (19) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (2 of 9) | Greens: Hit (6 of 12) | Putts: 2 (15) | Skins: 0

Hole No. 13 (Par-3)

We’ve now hit the section of the course where each skin is worth $20,000. This 143-yard par-3 isn’t offering much defense, and all four take dead aim and surround the flag. Day is away first from some 20 feet, leaks it a little right and settles for par. Woods, from around 16 feet, loses it on the low side. Matsuyama has eight feet straight up the hill and makes no mistake. He pockets $20,000 after McIlroy’s six-footer takes a hard lip out. All players are now on the board.

RESULT: $20,000 Skin won by HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: N/A (4 of 9) | Greens: Hit (8 of 13) | Putts: 2 (19) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: N/A (5 of 9) | Greens: Hit (10 of 13) | Putts: 2 (19) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: N/A (6 of 9) | Greens: Hit (8 of 13) | Putts: 2 (21) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: N/A (2 of 9) | Greens: Hit (7 of 13) | Putts: 1 (16) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)

Hole No. 14 (Par-5)

It’s one-club challenge time! FedEx Cares is donating $100,000 to International Medical Corp in the name of the winner on this par-5. McIlroy considers going 5-wood, but backs it off to a 5-iron. It looks like all four players have decided to use mid irons and all but McIlroy find the fairway. Day and Matsuyama choose 6-iron. Woods has a 4-iron. Woods talks about his junior years where “Dad would give me a 7-iron and say 'figure it out.'” Day’s hitting his third from the left rough and is short. Matsuyama is also hitting his third from the left rough and has found the green. Woods comes in from the fairway, just hits the left fringe and hangs up. McIlroy, from the short grass, finds the right side of the green. Day, using a 6-iron from the greenside bunker, hits a ridiculous shot to close range. Woods bumps his 4-iron down to close range also. McIlroy, putting from long range with his 5-iron, lags it up nicely and makes par. Matsuyama has a putt to win, but leaves it short and then misses a short one to halve, but Day cleans up behind him to jackpot the hole.

RESULT: $20,000 Skin halved (McIlroy, Day, Woods). Hole No. 15 worth $40,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Hit (5 of 10) | Greens: Miss (8 of 14) | Putts: 1 (20) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 10) | Greens: Hit (11 of 14) | Putts: 2 (21) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: Hit (7 of 10) | Greens: Miss (8 of 14) | Putts: 1 (22) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Hit (3 of 10) | Greens: Hit (8 of 14) | Putts: 2 (18) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)

Hole No. 15 (Par-4)

A drivable par-4 has the players licking their chops but Matsuyama, McIlroy and Woods all lose their tee shots to the right. Day, playing last, plays smart out to the left and just short of the putting surface. Woods recovers from the forest to the fringe of the green. Matsuyama goes full Phil Mickelson and throws up a huge flop shot over the trees to find the green. Day’s ball runs through the fairway and his chip comes out hot, but leaves a birdie chance. McIlroy finds the bunker near the lip and hacks it out, leaving the closest chance of all four. Woods hits his putt brilliantly and it tries its best to trickle in before stopping short. Matsuyama’s does likewise. Day is above the hole and misses on the right, leaving McIlroy a chance for the win. It is so fast and he barely touches the ball. It catches the left edge and lips out. Moving on to the 16th where $60,000 is on offer.

RESULT: $40,000 Skin halved (McIlroy, Day, Woods, Matsuyama). Hole No. 15 worth $60,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (5 of 11) | Greens: Miss (8 of 15) | Putts: 1 (21) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 11) | Greens: Hit (12 of 15) | Putts: 2 (23) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: Miss (7 of 11) | Greens: Hit (9 of 15) | Putts: 2 (24) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (3 of 11) | Greens: Hit (9 of 15) | Putts: 2 (20) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)

Hole No. 16 (Par-3)

A par-3 of 184 yards. We are starting to lose light. Matsuyama finds the middle of the green, McIlroy sticks it to 10-feet, Woods follows up by getting inside him at about eight feet and Day matches Woods to set up a putting contest. Woods talks Olympic golf and says he’d love to make the U.S team for 2020 in Toyko. Matsuyama is unable to convert birdie from long range and McIlroy sees his effort dive under the hole. Woods makes no mistake with his right-to-left curler, leaving Day with the chance to halve the hole. He gets it to go and it will be $80,000 on the 17th.

RESULT: $60,000 Skin halved (Day, Woods). Hole No. 17 worth $80,000.

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: N/A (5 of 11) | Greens: Hit (9 of 16) | Putts: 1 (22) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: N/A (5 of 11) | Greens: Hit (13 of 16) | Putts: 2 (25) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: N/A (7 of 11) | Greens: Hit (10 of 16) | Putts: 1 (25) | Skins: 3 ($30,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: N/A (3 of 11) | Greens: Hit (10 of 16) | Putts: 2 (22) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)

Hole No. 17 (Par-4)

Now we are playing under lights! Matsuyama, Woods and McIlroy miss left off the tee and Day loses his to the right. Matsuyama’s approach finds the right bunker. McIlroy and Woods have tree issues. It forces them to play low. McIlroy skips through the green to the grandstand behind the hole, while Woods airmails the putting surface and cannons into the wall of the stands, almost getting a rebound. Day misses long also. Who can scramble the best for $80,000? Matsuyama gives himself a par-saving chance from about 14 feet. Day chips down to about 12 feet. McIlroy flops it brilliantly to six feet or so. Woods' flop goes long and leaves a lengthy par attempt, which he fails to make. Matsuyama watches his try slide under the hole. Day nails his putt, leaving it up to Rory to send these skins to the last, but it hangs up on the high side and Day cleans up a cool $80,000. He takes the lead now at $110,000, but with No. 18 worth $100,000, anyone can still win the day.

RESULT: $80,000 Skin won by JASON DAY

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (5 of 12) | Greens: Miss (9 of 17) | Putts: 2 (24) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 12) | Greens: Miss (13 of 17) | Putts: 2 (27) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY: Fairways: Miss (7 of 12) | Greens: Miss (10 of 17) | Putts: 1 (26) | Skins: 7 ($110,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (3 of 12) | Greens: Miss (10 of 17) | Putts: 2 (24) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)

Hole No. 18 (Par-5)

The par-5 finishing hole is at 562 yards and under the lights. McIlroy is right off the tee and under a truck holding the lights. Woods is left in the trees. Matsuyama is in the right first cut and Day, fresh off his big win on No. 17, is in the middle of the fairway. Woods plays a beautiful, hooking stinger out of the trees and back into play. Matsuyama heads into the right trees with his approach. Day wants his shot to go hard… but it comes up short in the bunker. McIlroy tries to shape a miracle shot, but fails to pull it off. It’s scramble time for $100,000. Woods, now in the best shape, wedges his third to about 20 feet, but it is above the hole on these slick greens. Matsuyama is buried deep in the woods but spots a gap… he can only advance it to the sand. Day, from the bunker, hits his third superbly to tap-in range and secures birdie. Matsuyama almost holes out from the bunker to halve, McIlroy almost chips in to do the same, but ultimately, Woods is left with a putt to force a playoff hole. He left it well short, and just like that, Jason Day cleans up $180,000 over the last two holes for a total of $210,000.”It was fun. It’s nice to be able to beat the caliber of player I did today,” Day says after accepting the trophy.

RESULT: $100,000 Skin won by JASON DAY

TIGER WOODS: Fairways: Miss (5 of 13) | Greens: Hit (10 of 18) | Putts: 2 (26) | Skins: 5 ($60,000)

RORY MCILROY: Fairways: Miss (5 of 13) | Greens: Miss (13 of 18) | Putts: 1 (28) | Skins: 4 ($60,000)

JASON DAY (WINNER): Fairways: Hit (7 of 13) | Greens: Hit (11 of 18) | Putts: 1 (27) | Skins: 8 ($210,000)

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Fairways: Miss (3 of 13) | Greens: Miss (10 of 18) | Putts: 1 (25) | Skins: 1 ($20,000)