Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese player to win a major. The 29-year-old had to overcome late drama and slip-ups to earn his jacket on the green. The Japanese rode into Augusta carrying the weight of a golf-obsessed nation long deprived of victory.all the shots he made Augusta National Golf Club He had the power to make history. When Matsuyama almost surrenders a five-stroke lead, there are moments when his weight seems too much.
he Won the tournament by one shot in front of Will Zaratris, an American rookie who was his fiercest competitor. The Japanese started the final round at 11-under par, leading four golfers (Americas he Zaratris and Xander his Schauffele, England’s Justin Rose and Australia’s Mark he Leishman) by four strokes behind him. Did.
Matsuyama had to survive a few late-round slip-ups and a tough challenge on the back nine from Schauffre to earn the historic green jacket. Finishing at 7-under, Schauffre hit four birdies in a row before hitting a triple bogey at the par-3 16th.
After the iconic victory, Matsuyama revealed that he was nervous throughout the tournament. He also said that the idea of his family was what kept him going.
Hideki Matsuyama made bogeys and birdies on the 2nd, 8th and 9th holes. He extended his lead to six shots on the back nine. However, he left the door open to Schauffele after hitting the water with two greens on the par-5 15th. After Schaoufre made four birdies in a row, Matsuyama’s lead narrowed to two with three to go. However, the Japanese benefited from the American’s nightmare on the 16th hole, confirming his victory.
On the 18th, Matsuyama fell into a bunker, but headed to the green and stole a two-putt to get his first win in his 10th appearance at Augusta. As he celebrated his victory, the new Masters his champion revealed something he had never experienced before. Placed in the Top 10 on Tour until the week before the tournament. He even claimed he didn’t expect to be in the tournament. But his shot gave him hope as he trained Wednesday before the competition started.Hideki is now Short as 26/1 to retain Masters at next year’s renewal.
Matsuyama is from Ehime prefecture in Shikoku. He hoped his win would pave the way for other Japanese golfers to follow in his footsteps. He was optimistic.
The 24-year-old Zaratris debuted at Augusta and put in a great performance. He was on a mission to recreate his 1979 Fuzzy Zoeller feat, winning the Masters on his first commission. He got really close, but he birdied on two of his final four holes and scored a final-round 70.
Matsuyama received praise from many golf stars, including five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods. The golf superstar took to his Twitter account to acknowledge the importance of Matsuyama’s win to his home country and the world of golf. He argued that the win would have an impact on the world golf scene.
The 2021 winner was also commended by Japan Golf Tour Chairman Isao Aoki. Longtime member of the PGA TourThe chairman praised his hard work and claimed that this win was a dream come true for Japanese golf fans.
Aoki reiterated that all Japanese golf fans have been waiting for a Masters win for a long time. He also acknowledged that Matsuyama must have done everything in his power to win, and hoped the golfer would continue to make a mark on the world golf scene.
With his victory, he became the second golfer from the Asian continent to win a men’s major. South Korea’s YE Yang became the first Asian to win the PGA Championship in 2009.
Matsuyama has won the PGA Tour five times and the Japan Golf Tour eight times. He made his Masters debut ten years ago as an amateur. Two women from Japan have also won majors. Hisako Higuchi won the 1977 LPGA Championship and Hinako Shibuno won the 2019 Women’s British Open.
Matsuyama’s victory caps off a promising two weeks for Japanese golfers at the historic club. Her compatriot Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Championship held at the same venue on April 3.
Matsuyama’s next challenge is to win a gold medal for his home country at the Tokyo Olympics. His experience at Augusta will be the best experience for him to qualify for the Olympics at home.
