History was made this past weekend at the Masters in Augusta, GA. as Hideki Matsuyama’s journey in the making for the past 10 years came true. Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a major championship.
Hideki Matsuyama was presented with his green jacket and Masters Trophy by last year’s winner, Dustin Johnson. Both golfers are first-time champions. Matsuyama is proud to accept this award as, not only being the first man from Japan to win the Masters, but also the first from Japan to win any of golf’s major competitions.
“So I can’t say if I’m the greatest. However, I’m the first to win a major, and if that’s the bar, then I’ve set it. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like, what a thrill and honor it will be for me to take the green jacket back to Japan, and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
On Japanese media, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, said Matsuyama’s win “moved our hearts and gave us courage.”
Matsuyama said “It’s thrilling to think that there are a lot of youngsters in japan watching today,” he said. “Hopefully in five, 10 years, when they get a little older, hopefully some of them will be competing on the world stage. But I still have a lot of years left, so they are going to have to compete against me still. But i’m happy for them because hopefully they will be able to follow in my footsteps.”
Matsuyama’s caddy, Shota Hayafuji, played a major role in his win, and he found a way to pay tribute to the great Augusta National golf course during a long-held caddy tradition.
The moment came after Hayafuji collected the flag from the 18th green, which is a tradition for caddies whenever their golfer wins a tournament. When he was returning the flag pole to the hole, he made a small gesture that communicated a lot of emotion. After the flag pole was placed back into the hole, Hayafuji took off his hat and gave a small bow to the course. It was a lovely moment, and it’s even more meaningful with some additional context: Matsuyama’s legendary Masters win was his first with Hayafuji as his caddy. You can watch it play out in the video below.
Mission accomplished.
So much respect for Augusta. pic.twitter.com/lRyhMtNOlf
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 11, 2021
This was such a beautiful moment of respect and honor. It left many in tears.
Although our local Myrtle Beach boy, Dustin Johnson did not win again this year, Myrtle Beach Golf Directors congratulates Japan, Hideki Matsuyama and his caddy Shota Hayafuji for their historical win.
If you would like to book a tee-time in the Myrtle Beach area, Please contact Myrtle Beach Golf Directors.
Tom, Billy, Wrenn or Tracy
(843) 249-5800
or email: info@myrtlebeachgolfdirectors.com
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