Hideki Matsuyama began his Augusta career as the low amateur in 2011. Ten years later he is the Masters champion.
He becomes Japan’s first men’s major champion – third overall after Hisako Higuchi, the 1977 Women’s PGA Championship winner, and 2019 Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno – and it’s difficult to put into words what this will mean back in his homeland.
I can’t even think of a British golf example in recent years. Think Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon win and you’re still not even close. Adam Scott said Matsuyama is to Japan what Tiger Woods is to the rest of the world.
Every year at the Open there are dozens of Japanese journalists sent thousands of miles to the UK with one mission: to ask every player that passes through the interview room about Matsuyama. It’s a remarkable sight.
And Matsuyama didn’t half make them sweat on Sunday.
His final-round lead began at four and at one point it was as high as six. It was back to four at the par-5 15th when he inexplicably took on the green with a 4-iron. He rescued bogey after finding the water but playing partner Xander Schauffele had cut the lead to two.
Moments later, though, it was game over. Schauffele dunked his tee shot in the drink at the par-3 16th en route to a triple bogey and Matsuyama could plot his way to the Green Jacket. A bogey at 18 meant the margin, in the end, was just one.
Will Zalatoris came within two shots of becoming just the fourth ever rookie to win the Masters, instead settling for second at 9-under, while Shauffele tied for third with Jordan Spieth at -7.
New dad Jon Rahm carded a round-of-the-day 66 to finish at 6-under with Marc Leishman, and Justin Rose once again led the way for Britain at 5-under.
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- RELATED: What’s in Matsuyama’s winning bag?
Here’s a wrap-up of the big talking points of the day…
Team GB&I watch
How did the British and Irish players finish up this week?
Justin Rose (-5): Good week overall for Rose, even if he will be disappointed not to be taking home the Green Jacket.
Robert MacIntyre (-2): What a week for debutant. Flying the flag for Scotland and returning to Augusta next year thanks to a top-12 finish.
Tyrrell Hatton (-1): First round in the 60s for Hatton, with four consecutive birdies on the back-nine.
Shane Lowry (E): Bogey on 18 for the Open champ meant back-to-back weekend rounds of 72.
Ian Poulter (+1): Birdie-birdie start propelled Poulter to his best score of the week.
Paul Casey (+1): Four consecutive birdies on the back-nine for Casey bumped him up the leaderboard.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (+2): A second 73 of the weekend for Fitzpatrick – not what he would have hoped for.
Matt Wallace (+2): An eagle on the second was just what the doctor ordered, but in the end Wallace stumbled to a closing 73.
Martin Laird (+3): The Scotsman just ran out of steam as he cards his second 74 of the week.
Tommy Fleetwood (+5): A day, and specifically a back-nine, to forget for Fleetwood.
Best shot(s) of the day
Two of the best from Tony Finau. We’re sure he meant at least one of them…
Worst shot of the day
It didn’t matter in the end but it sure kept it interesting.
With a four-shot lead and only four holes to play, why oh why would you take this on in two?
A bogey for Matsuyama amde for an unnecessarily close finish. Not that we were complaining.
Spieth smashes more Masters records
He may not have fulfilled the prophecy with a second Green Jacket this week, but boy did he provide some vintage Spieth entertainment…
Current bet slip status: Jordan Spieth to win the 2022 Masters.
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Reed reaping the rewards on 16
The 16th hole at Augusta has claimed many a scalp over the years – just ask Xander Schauffele – but it seems Patrick Reed can’t get enough…
Sensational.
Fashion police
Even being the Masters champion does not exempt you from the scrutiny of the fashion police. Come on Hideki, you had all night to plan this…
Still, does anything look good with green?
Stat(s) of the day
As if you needed any more reasons to applaud that win. Incredible stuff.
If you missed anything from the rest of the week, scroll down and hit the next page button…
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Masters round-up: Saturday
Hideki Matsuyama put on a shot-making clinic to put one arm in the Green Jacket and with it become the first Asian player to win the Masters.
As conditions fluctuated throughout the round, the Japanese star made it look effortless as he secured a bogey-free round of 65.
A back-nine 30 including four birdies and an eagle means Matsuyama will take a priceless four-shot cushion into the final day.
The chasing pack will need to do something special to snatch away the main prize, though. Matsuyama has carded a level-par 72 or better in each of his last four final rounds at Augusta.
If Matsuyama holds on he would become the first Japanese major champion in the men’s game and third overall – Hisako Higuchi won the 1977 Women’s PGA Championship and Hinako Shibuno triumphed at the 2019 Women’s Open.
It would also mean two Japanese winners in as many weeks on this course, after Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur just seven days ago.
- RELATED: What’s in Matsuyama’s bag?
First and second-round leader Justin Rose battled to post a level-par 72 and will begin the final round at -7, alongside Xander Schauffele – who will play in the final group with Matsuyama – Marc Leishman, and Will Zalatoris.
- RELATED: Final round tee times
- RELATED: Masters TV schedule
Team GB&I watch
How are the British and Irish players looking ahead of the final round?
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Justin Rose (-7): On another day it could have been an 80 – but Rose’s recovery game was on point.
Robert MacIntyre (-2): Solid 2-under-par third round for Bob Mac, who continues to impress on his Masters debut.
Shane Lowry (E): Even par for the Open champ. Steady.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (+1): A birdie on 18 couldn’t prevent Fitzpatrick slipping back through the pack.
Tommy Fleetwood (+1): Not the day Fleetwood would have hoped for, with a double on seven killing any momentum.
Martin Laird (+1): A steady even-par round for Laird as he settles in the middle of the pack.
Matt Wallace (+1): Wallace shoots his best round of the week so far, and will be looking for a low one tomorrow to round off a good Masters.
Tyrrell Hatton (+3): Six bogeys hinder Hatton as he languishes to a 2-over third round – hitting reverse on Saturday.
Ian Poulter (+3): Poulter pips Casey in an all-English two ball, but has too much to do with one round to go.
Paul Casey (+4): Casey bogeys 18 for the second day in a row as he fails to capitalise.
16 years ago today…
This happened. Goosebumps.
Best shot of the day
Just Spieth doing ‘Spiethy’ things at Augusta…
And again…
Finally, how can we not include an ace?
Just the sixth ever in the Masters on the sixth hole. Take a bow, Corey Conners.
Worst shot of the day
Even after a torrid run of three bogeys in eight holes, you would still back Thomas with a wedge in his hand…
Silly Billy
Party time at Augusta
Look what making the weekend meant to Bubba Watson and caddie Ted Scott…
And speaking of movers…
Fashion police
This is not a personal vendetta against Viktor Hovland, but he cannot be allowed to get away with this…
We can only imagine what he has in store for Sunday.
Stat(s) of the day
Looking for an in-play bet over the weekend? Take note of this gem from Justin Ray…
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Anyway, that’s enough from me today. Check back tomorrow for another round up of the day’s action at Augusta National.
If you missed anything from Thursday and Friday at Augusta, scroll down and hit ‘next page’…
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Masters round-up: Friday
What is it about this place that Jordan Spieth loves so much? After securing his first win for almost four years in his home state last week, the Texan put on a vintage display on day two to of the Masters to give himself a chance of a second Green Jacket.
After a 68 to head into the weekend tied-4th at 5-under-par, the stats are pointing towards a fairytale return to the dizzy heights of 2015.
If the numbers are to be believed, there is also no sign of Spieth taking his foot off the gas at Augusta, especially with this phenomenal Masters record.
Justin Rose, who led by four after 18 holes, will take a one-shot lead into the weekend after an even-par second round, while debutant Will Zalatoris – who was ranked outside the top 500 a little more than a year ago – carded a round of 68 that any Augusta veteran would have been proud of to move into a tie for 2nd with Brian Harman at 6-under.
Marc Leishman joins Spieth at 4-under, and there’s an added incentive for Justin Thomas to go on and win…
Going home
With the field average scoring more than two shots better than the first round, Friday really was an opportunity to make a score and head on into the weekend. Unfortunately, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood didn’t get the memo.
McIlroy remains in the midst of a well-publicised slump, with the work he and Pete Cowen have to do only too apparent throughout his 36 holes at Augusta this week. His wait goes on.
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And after a lot of hype pre-tournament, Westwood never really got going and even struggled to muster a fight to make the cut.
Also heading for the proverbial early bath are defending champion Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Matt Kuchar, and Sergio Garcia.
Team GB&I watch
Which of our hopes of a British or Irish winner made the weekend?
Justin Rose (-7): A slow start for Rose, rescued by three birdies on the back nine to shoot level par.
Shane Lowry (E): The worst possible opening for Lowry with a double bogey on one and a bogey on two, but rectified on the back nine to shoot 1-over-par.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (E): Three birdies and just one bogey for Fitzpatrick, who gives himself an outside chance.
Tommy Fleetwood (E): Two steps in the right direction for Fleetwood, helped by four birdies on the front nine in round two.
Robert MacIntyre (E): The debutant makes the weekend with an impressive 2-under-par second round.
Tyrrell Hatton (+1): As the rest of the field make moves, Hatton will be disappointed with a two-over-par second round courtesy of a double bogey at 13.
Martin Laird (+1): Bogey-bogey finish took the shine off a solid round for Laird.
Matt Wallace (+2): Three-under-par through ten holes today so will be disappointed with an even par round.
Paul Casey (+3): Bogey-bogey finish for Casey, who will breathe a sigh of relief as he makes it to the weekend.
Ian Poulter (+3): One birdie and a double-bogey mean that Poulter scrapes through by the skin of his teeth.
And it’s goodbye to the following…
Danny Willett (+5)
Rory McIlroy (+6)
Lee Westwood (+6)
Ian Woosnam (+9)
Joe Long (+10)
Sandy Lyle (+12)
- RELATED: Masters tee times
- RELATED: Masters TV schedule
Bryson finally comes good
Remember this statement from Bryson DeChambeau? Well, today he finally delivered at the sixth time of asking.
I mean you can be forgiven for missing it, nobody has really mentioned it.
‘Wood’ you believe it?
Si Woo Kim provided one of the most relatable golf moments in recent Masters history today when he did this…
To add further insult to injury, Kim had to play the remaining four holes putting with his wood.
We’ve all been there.
Best shot of the day
Cameron Smith showed us all what a player he is when finishing runner-up at the Masters in November. After a quiet opening round, he surged into contention on Friday, with this shot being a particular highlight.
On a day of top quality golf, picking one shot was far too difficult. So have another one on me from Xander Schauffele…
Worst shot of the day
Short chip from the back of the green for one of the best short game players in the world. No problem – or so you would think…
Can’t fault his commitment to relatable content.
Fashion police
Sorry Viktor, you had your chance yesterday. You brought this on yourself…
Stat(s) of the day
Another corker from stat god Justin Ray to round off a fantastic day of Masters action.
Anyway, that’s enough from me today. Check back tomorrow for another round up of the day’s action at Augusta National.
If you missed anything from Thursday’s first day at Augusta, including an intriguing incident on the 1st tee with Gary Player, scroll down and hit ‘next page’…
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Masters round-up: Thursday
With all the build-up talk about Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau, the first day of the 2021 Masters was all about one man.
The last time we saw Justin Rose in competitive action was at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He had just carded a nine and withdrawn from the tournament. What a different a month makes.
The Englishman will take a four-shot lead into the second round after a ludicrous 7-under 65. Why ludicrous? He was 2-over through seven. An eagle at the par-5 eighth kick-started a run of seven birdies in his final 10 holes.
Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama – remember him? – trail at 3-under, while a quartet headed by 2018 champion Patrick Reed are a shot further back on a day when only 12 players broke par.
It’s Rose’s to lose now. Who’s to argue that 7-under won’t end up being the winning score?
- RELATED: What’s in Justin Rose’s bag?
As for the pre-tournament favourites, only Spieth, at -1, is under par. Rahm is one further back, while Thomas is at +1 and defending champion DJ at +2.
McIlroy and DeChambeau have it all to do after the both carded equally erratic 76s. Remember when DeChambeau called Augusta a par-67?
Team GB&I watch
How did our boys get on in round one?
Justin Rose (-7): It’s his to lose.
Tyrrell Hatton (-1): Three consecutive birdies from the 13th put him right back in it, and we all know how good he can be when he gets hot.
Shane Lowry (-1): Solid opening round for the reigning Open champion.
Paul Casey (+1): Game of two halves after making the turn 3-under-par before five bogeys in seven holes on the back nine.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (+2): Another case of a positive front nine that is derailed by a slow back nine – something we will see a lot of this week.
Tommy Fleetwood (+2): Aced the 16th – more on that later – to put a smile on his face.
Matt Wallace (+2): Lots to do if he wants to be in the final group on Sunday for the second week in a row.
Ian Poulter (+2): One of the first players out on the course, opening with a birdie before making five bogeys in seven holes and closing with a solid 1-under-par back nine.
Robert MacIntyre (+2): Only six pars on the card which tells you everything you need to know about a whirlwind first round for the debutant.
Martin Laird (+2): The Scot battled to turn in level par after opening with back-to-back bogeys, but couldn’t prevent slipping to two-over-par with a closing bogey.
Rory McIlroy (+4): Another year where a slow start hinders his chances before they really begin.
Danny Willett (+4): Six bogeys cancelled out two birdies for the 2016 champion.
Ian Woosnam (+4): Much better back nine for the 1991 Masters champion as he rescues a respectable round in the conditions.
Lee Westwood (+6): Less said the better, as Westwood fails to pay back any faith in him finally breaking his major duck.
Sandy Lyle (+9): Probably packing the bags already.
Joe Long (+10): A closing birdie will have taken the edge off of a brutal first day for the Amateur champion.
- RELATED: Masters tee times
- RELATED: Masters TV schedule
Respect your Elder
How lovely to see Lee Elder alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player for the traditional ceremonial tee shots. If you’re not up to speed, here’s chairman Fred Riley to explain…
The clip, though, caused controversy on social media as viewers pointed out that Player’s son, Wayne, was using the moment to flash his dad’s golf balls on camera.
Watch carefully, it’s quite subtle. (Where’s the sarcasm font?)
And in case you missed it…
Turns out Player Jr is a shareholder of OnCore Golf, and the manufacturer was forced to release a statement saying they did not ask for the guerrilla marketing campaign.
Spoiler alert: No one’s blaming you.
Best shot of the day
Tommy Fleetwood had a hole-in-one in his last start at the WGC-Match Play two weeks ago. Then he did this…
Bravo sir!
Worst shot of the day
On a golf course full of players, caddies, and a few thousand fans, what are the odds that your wayward shot would hit your own dad?
McIlroy Sr was unharmed – even joking he might get a signed glove – but it was just typical of Rory’s day.
Stat(s) of the day
Over the don of golf stats, Mr Justin Ray…
Justin Rose has equalled Jack Nicklaus for the most first-round leads or co-leads in Masters history with four.
It is also the sixth time Rose has led or co-led after any Masters round – the most all-time by a player to have never won.
Fashion police
Many of the players seemed to be having their own little worst-dressed competition, with one particular three-ball looking particularly suspect in the fashion department.
Unfortunately, featured group coverage meant that we were unable to avoid the questionable apparel selections of Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson and Viktor Hovland – all of whom had to be included as nominations for this award today.
So, drum roll please… the unfortunate winner is – Brooks Koepka.
I mean, the hat. why?
Anyway, that’s enough from me today. Check back tomorrow for another round up of the day’s action at Augusta National.