Matsuyama makes history
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday to become the first player from his country to win a men’s Major championship.
The 29-year-old finished a shot ahead of American rookie Will Zalatoris, after carding a final-round one-over-par 73 for a tournament total of 10-under.
He also became only the second Asian-born player to triumph in a Major – after Korean YE Yang’s victory in the 2009 US PGA Championship.
Matsuyama started the final day with a four-stroke advantage over four golfers — England’s Justin Rose, Australia’s Marc Leishman and Americans Xander Schauffele and Zalatoris.
He survived some mistakes late on, and a challenge from Schauffele, to claim the Green Jacket in thrilling circumstances.
Schauffele fired four straight birdies before his bid for honours ended with a triple-bogey on the par-three 16th.
“I felt nervous from the start of the day and right through until the end,” said Matsuyama.
“I was thinking about [my family] all the way around. I’m really happy I was able to play well for them.”
He recovered from a bogey on the first with birdies on the second, eighth and ninth. He then extended his lead to six on the back nine, but he gave Schauffele some hope when he found water going for the green in two on the par-five 15th.
After Schauffele’s fourth straight birdie, the lead was down to two shots with three to play, but the American’s charge came to an end on the 16th hole.
Matsuyama found a greenside bunker on the 18th, but splashed out to give himself two putts to win the title.
“Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow,” said the Japanese star, the winner of five titles on the PGA Tour and eight on the Japan Golf Tour Organization.
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