Historic Hideki: Masters Winner Matsuyama Becomes Japan’s First Major Champion

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Hideki Matsuyama Wins the 2021 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Hideki Matsuyama celebrates as 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson places the green jacket on him after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

On Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, Hideki Matsuyama overcame some early jitters, and a late scare, producing a final-round 73 to claim victory at The Masters Tournament with a four-day total of 10-under par.

Entering Sunday’s finale at the iconic Georgia golf course with a commanding four-shot lead, Matsuyama quickly saw that advantage reduced to just a single stroke with a first-hole bogey. But after an offset gain on No. 2, it was a smooth cruise the rest of the outward nine for the 29-year old star, as one by one the chasers faded.

Back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 saw Matsuyama’s lead balloon to a full six at the turn. A late run by Xander Schauffele trimmed the advantage to a deuce with three to play, but once again it was the chaser who crashed, as Schauffele dunked his tee shot in the water guarding the 16th to end his run.

Matsuyama finished par-bogey to secure the iconic green jacket and a place in history as one of Japan’s greatest sportsmen.

The win earned Matsuyama $2,070,000 and 600 FedExCup points, which moves him to No. 4 on the PGA Tour’s points list, and No. 3 in the money.


Masters’ Champion Pro-File
Hideki Matsuyama Wins the 2021 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Hideki Matsuyama hugs his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Name: Hideki Matsuyama
Nationality Japan
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 190 lbs
Born: Feb. 25, 1992 (age 29)
Native: Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Residence: Orlando, Fl.; Sendai, Japan
College: Tohoku Fukushi University
Family: Wife, Mei; Kanna
Turned Pro: 2013
Primary Sponsor: Srixon


2021 Masters: Top 5

Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Hideki Matsuyama -10 (+1)
2. Will Zalatoris -9 (-2)
3. Jordan Spieth -7 (-2)
3. Xander Schauffele -7 (E)
5. Jon Rahm -6 (-6)
5. Marc Leishman -6 (+1)


Hideki Matsuyama’s Winning Numbers
Hideki Matsuyama Wins the 2021 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Hideki Matsuyama lines up a putt with his caddie Shota Hayafuji on the first green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, GA. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Top-line Stats
Driving: 288.6 (47th)
Longest Drive: 327 yds (Rd 3)
Fairways: 36/56, 64.3% (41st)
Greens: 50/72, 69.5% (7th)
Putts/Per GIR: 2.286 (3rd)

Hole Scoring
Par-3s: +1
Par-4s: E
Par-5s: -11
Amen Corner: -5
Scores: 3 Eagles, 13 Birdies, 47 Pars, 9 Bogeys


Matsuyama’s 2021 PGA Tour Season

Starts: 17
Cuts Made: 14
Wins: 1 (The Masters)
Additional Top 10/20: 1/5
Earnings: $3,741,419 (3)
FedExCup Pts: 1,244 (4)
World Rank Before/After: 25/13


WITB: Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama Wins the 2021 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the 5th tee during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, GA. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Hideki Matsuyama primarily plays Srixon/Cleveland gear (driver, irons, wedges, and ball), but also utilizes TaylorMade (metals) and Titleist/Scotty Cameron (putter).

Driver: Srixon ZX5 (9.5°)
3-Metal: TaylorMade SIM Max (15°)
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max (19°)
Driving Iron: Srixon ZX (4, 23°)
Irons: Srixon Z-Forged, (5-PW)
Gap Wedge: Cleveland RTX 4 (52°)
Sand Wedge: Cleveland RTX 4 (56Ëš)
Lob Wedge: Cleveland RTX 4 (60Ëš)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T GSS
Golf Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV

Source: NationalClubGolfer.com


Matsuyama’s Career Wins
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama celebrates a birdie putt on the 18th hole as Rickie Fowler looks on during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Feb 7, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Hideki Matsuyama owns six (6) victories on the PGA Tour:
2014 Memorial Tournament
2016 WM Phoenix Open
2016 Hero World Challenge*
2017 WGC-HSBC Champions
2017 WM Phoenix Open
2017 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
2021 Masters Tournament
* Not official PGA Tour win but official as a world-ranking event.

The 29-year old also has racked up eight (8) victories on the Japan Golf Tour:
2011 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo
2013 Tsuruya Open
2013 Diamond Cup Golf
2013 Fujisankei Classic
2013 Casio World Open
2014 Dunlop Phoenix
2016 Japan Open Golf Championship
2016 Taiheiyo Masters


Developing… More to come.


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