Hideki Matsuyama came from six shots off the lead in the final round of last year’s Genesis Invitational to win with a spectacular round of 9-under 62.

Matsuyama is back to defend his title — 123 miles south of last year’s victory. Last month’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires forced relocation of the Genesis from the Pacific Palisades’ Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines.

“Obviously, before the fire I was really looking forward to coming back to Riviera,” Matsuyama said Tuesday through an interpreter, “but with the situation, a bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to come back to Riviera.”

There are 32 golfers in this week’s tournament who were here three weeks ago for the Farmers Insurance Open. Only 18 of those made the cut. Matsuyama was among them, finishing tied for 32nd place, nine shots behind winner Harris English.

The Japanese star is very familiar with the Torrey Pines layout, having played in 12 straight Farmers as well as the 2021 U.S. Open here. He has four top-15 finishes in the Farmers, including a tie for ninth in 2023 and a tie for third in 2019.

What does all that on-course experience, especially last month, mean to him this week?

Not much, apparently.

“It seems like it’s going to rain this week and the greens, they were soft today,” Matsuyama said following a practice round. “I don’t think ... it’s really not going to help me this week.”

Matching last year’s final-round 62 would tie the Torrey Pines course record set in 1999 by Tiger Woods. That was two years before the redesign that made the South Course the beast it is today.

So good luck with that, especially in the first two rounds today and Friday with wind and rain in the forecast. In fact, the wet weather is expected to impact today’s pro-am as well.

Matsuyama, No. 5 in the world rankings, will be in the same boat as everyone else as far as the weather is concerned. He is grouped with No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 4 Collin Morikawa for the first two rounds.

Matsuyama began the year under much more pleasant conditions in Hawaii, with a victory at Kapalua Golf Course in The Sentry. There, he set a PGA Tour record for the lowest score in relation to par with a 35-under 257.

It began a consistent stretch in which Matsuyama has carded only two rounds over par — both at the Farmers — in five tournaments this year.

“I don’t know the exact answer for that,” Matsuyama said, “but I feel like I don’t have much injury right now and I’ve been able to practice more compared to the last two seasons. I think that’s maybe the key of me being consistent like this.”

Matsuyama’s title last year was particularly special because it was his ninth victory on the PGA Tour, moving him past South Korea’s K.J. Choi for most victories by an Asian-born player.

Defending his title in this tournament hosted by Woods also would be special as Matsuyama seeks to become the seventh player to win back-to-back Genesis championships.

Phil Mickelson (2008-09) was the last to do it in a select group that includes Mike Weir (2003-04), Corey Pavin (1994-95), Arnold Palmer (1966-67), Ben Hogan (1947-48) and Macdonald Smith (1928-29).

“Obviously I’m looking forward to defending my title this week,” he said. “I’ve heard some rumor that Tiger might be here this Sunday, so, hopefully, I get that trophy and get that picture with him this week.”