Hideki Matsuyama: Player Profile

Who is Hideki Matsuyama?

Hideki Matsuyama is Japan’s leading male golfer, with a major victory and nine PGA Tour wins to his name.

Born in 1992, Matsuyama took up the game at the age of four after his father introduced him to it and it was not long before the signs of a high quality player were there. He made history by becoming the first Japanese amateur golfer to qualify for the Masters after his victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, winning the event at the age of just 17. He won it again a year later, becoming the first man to win the Asia-Pacific in back-to-back years.

He would make more history in 2021, as he became the first Japanese player to win a men’s major championship, and it was also at the Masters Tournament. This is one of his nine PGA Tour victories, with Matsuyama having also won the Waste Management Phoenix Open twice, along with the WGC-HSBC Champions and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. His latest win was at the Genesis Invitational in 2024.

Matsuyama is a five-time Presidents Cup player, having first featured for the International side in 2013, and played in every edition since. He also represented his country on home soil at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal in the seven-man play-off for Bronze.

Hideki Matsuyama | An Overview

Personal Information

Name: Hideki Matsuyama
Born: February 25, 1992
Nationality: Japan
Residence: Sendai, Japan

Career

College: Tohoku Fukushi University
Turned Pro: 2013
Professional Wins: 18
Highest World Ranking: 2 – June 18, 2017

Best Results In Majors

Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – WON (2021)
– PGA Championship – T4 (2016)
– US Open – T2 (2017)
– Open Championship – T6 (2013)

Professional Wins – 18

2011 (1) – Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters
2013 (4) – Tsuruya Open, Diamond Cup Golf, Fujisankei Classic, Casio World Open
2014 (2) – Memorial Tournament, Dunlop Phoenix Tournament
2016 (5) – Waste Management Phoenix Open, Japan Open Golf Championship, WGC-HSBC Champions, Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, Hero World Challenge
2017 (2) – Waste Management Phoenix Open, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
2021 (2) – Masters Tournament, Zozo Championship
2022 (1) – Sony Open in Hawaii
2024 (1) – Genesis Invitational

Achievements and Awards

Japan Golf Tour Rookie of the Year – 2013
Japan Golf Tour Most Valuable Player – 2013
Japan Golf Tour Money List Winner – 2013

Hideki Matsuyama | What’s In His Bag?

Matsuyama has worked with Srixon for years now, and his bag features a ZX5 Mk II driver, along with Z-Forged II irons. He also has Cobra fairway woods, with a DarkSpeed LS 3-wood and a King RadSpeed 5-wood, along with Cleveland RTX 4 Forged wedges and a Scotty Cameron putter. Matsuyama uses the Srixon Z-Star XV ball.

You can see our full article on what’s in Matsuyama’s bag here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hideki Matsuyama

When and where was Hideki Matsuyama born?

Hideki Matsuyama was born in February 1992 in the town of Matsuyama in Ehime, Japan. His father, Miko, got him into the game of golf at the age of four, and he would later move schools in search of a better golfing environment.

When did Hideki Matsuyama turn professional?

Hideki Matsuyama turned professional in 2013, just a few months after turning 20. He began his professional career on the Japan Golf Tour.

How many professional titles has Hideki Matsuyama won?

As of February 2024, Hideki Matsuyama has won 18 times as a professional, including nine wins on the PGA Tour. The biggest of his victories came at the Masters Tournament in 2021, claiming his first major title. His most recent win was at the Genesis Invitational in early 2024.

Who is Hideki Matsuyama married to?

Matsuyama is married to Mei, with the pair wed in January 2017. The couple have one child – Kanna – who was born six months later.

Did you Know?

Japan Golf Tour Treble

Matsuyama secured an incredible treble during his first season on the Japan Golf Tour. Not only did he win the Rookie of the Year award, but he also topped the money list, and was named Most Valuable Player.

Japanese History at Augusta

Matsuyama’s victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2010 saw him qualify for the Masters Tournament. In doing so, he became the first Japanese amateur to qualify for the event, and he went on to win the Silver Cup for being the Low Amateur that week. Eleven years later, he would make more history, by becoming the first Japanese player to win at Augusta.

Olympian on Home Soil

Matsuyama had the proud moment of representing his nation on home soil at the postponed Tokyo Olympics. The event, which took place on the same course that he won the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, saw Matsuyama finish in a tie for 3rd, but he was unable to win the Bronze Medal in an incredible seven-man play-off.