The making of a Masters champion: The introvert who carries the hopes of a nation

The making of a Masters champion: The introvert who carries the hopes of a nation

Dan Murphy charts the rise of Hideki Matsuyama, a reluctant hero but a golfer who has changed preconceptions about his country’s golfing credentials

2021 Masters

History is made! Matsuyama clings on for Masters glory on dramatic final day at Augusta
History is made! Matsuyama clings on for Masters glory on dramatic final day at Augusta

Hideki Matsuyama certainly kept things interesting en route to his maiden major. Here's your final wrap from a thrilling week at Augusta
What's in Hideki Matsuyama's bag?
What's in Hideki Matsuyama's bag?

He's a Srixon staffer but he has something of a mixed bag. Hannah Holden takes a closer look
Langer: Rory's picking the wrong player to emulate
Langer: Rory's picking the wrong player to emulate

Rory McIlroy's decision to chase Bryson DeChambeau's distance has left Bernhard Langer scratching his head. If he wants to win the Masters, the German tells Alex Perry, he should be copying another major champion
Rory's Masters struggles are all too familiar – just expressed in a new way
Rory's Masters struggles are all too familiar – just expressed in a new way

Perhaps a new coach and a fresh outlook would transform Rory McIlroy's Augusta fortunes. Unfortunately, writes Dan Murphy, it was the same old story

Masters history

'We were in awe of the Americans - until we played them every week': When Langer and Seve ruffled a few feathers at Augusta
'We were in awe of the Americans - until we played them every week': When Langer and Seve ruffled a few feathers at Augusta

Bernhard Langer and Seve Ballesteros was golf's fiercest rivalry in the 1980s, but the German tells NCG it was all about proving Europeans could compete on the biggest stage
'He's going to kill you!' Recalling the most fascinating two hours in Masters history
'He's going to kill you!' Recalling the most fascinating two hours in Masters history

Nobody had shot 6-under on Augusta's fabled back nine until Worksop's Maurice Bembridge rode into town. And there was quite a scare along the way
The one that got away: How McIlroy's Masters meltdown still haunts him
The one that got away: How McIlroy's Masters meltdown still haunts him

Alex Perry examines Rory McIlroy's frustrating Augusta record in the 10 years since his agonising collapse - and how it made that year's champion 'invisible'
'It’s like you're in a movie and it’s going slow motion': Woosnam recalls his finest hour
'It’s like you're in a movie and it’s going slow motion': Woosnam recalls his finest hour

Ian Woosnam and caddie Phil Morbey discuss the final-hole drama that gave the Welshman a memorable Masters victory 30 years ago
Nine mind-blowing stats behind the Tiger Slam
Nine mind-blowing stats behind the Tiger Slam

Can you believe it's been 20 years since Tiger Woods claimed his unique slice of golf history? Two decades on and the numbers are still astonishing
The making of a Masters champion: How DJ rose from golf's nearly-man to multiple major winner
The making of a Masters champion: How DJ rose from golf's nearly-man to multiple major winner

What makes Dustin Johnson tick? Dan Murphy dissects the rise of a quite remarkable character
Reliving one of the most remarkable days in Masters history
Reliving one of the most remarkable days in Masters history

Tiger Woods, fused back and all, landed his 15th and most unlikely major win at Augusta. Let's look at the key moments of an incredible Sunday
Nicklaus and the '86 Masters – in his own words
Nicklaus and the '86 Masters – in his own words

Celebrate Jack Nicklaus' greatest win in every last, glorious drop

The inside story of 'the greatest shot of Mickelson's career' – by those who were there
The inside story of 'the greatest shot of Mickelson's career' – by those who were there

Ten years on from THAT Phil Mickelson 6-iron from the pine straw, the man himself, along with the two caddies in the pairing that day, Jim 'Bones' Mackay and Billy Foster, share their memories
'Everybody loved him' – but what was it really like to caddie for Seve?
'Everybody loved him' – but what was it really like to caddie for Seve?

Billy Foster worked with Seve Ballesteros for five years. He gives us the inside story of working with the fiery Spaniard

'Winning the Masters was more a sense of relief than joy'
'Winning the Masters was more a sense of relief than joy'

Jose Maria OIazabal will be making his 30th visit to Augusta this year. He talks Mark Townsend through his two wins and an horrific time on the sidelines

'I can't believe the record still stands': Meet Augusta's Mr 63
'I can't believe the record still stands': Meet Augusta's Mr 63

Only two men have shot 9-under par at Augusta National during the Masters. NCG sat down with the first: Zimbabwe's Nick Price

Augusta National

Danny Willett's hole-by-hole guide to Augusta
Danny Willett's hole-by-hole guide to Augusta

The 2016 Masters champion gives us his take on Augusta National Golf Club's famous 18 holes
Fred Couples: The secrets to my success at the Masters
Fred Couples: The secrets to my success at the Masters

Few people know their way around Augusta National better than Fred Couples. He tells Steve Carroll why he gets on so well with the Georgia masterpiece