First Major Win of the Year by 1 Stroke with a 2.3 Billion Jackpot, Zellerothris in 2nd, Shofley and Spieth Tied for 3rd, Ram Tied for 5th
Hideki Matsuyama is cheering after wearing the green jacket immediately following his victory on the final day of the Masters. Augusta, Georgia, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits
[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae] Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) has written a new chapter in the "Masters Legends" history.
On the 12th (Korean time), at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA (par 72, 7,475 yards), he added a 1-over-par on the final day to secure a one-stroke victory (10-under 278). He surpassed last year's joint runner-up Im Sung-jae (23, CJ Logistics) to become the first Asian player to win. This is his sixth career win, his first in 3 years and 8 months since the 2017 World Golf Championships (WGC) Bridgestone Invitational, with a prize of $2.07 million (2.3 billion KRW).
He is the second player to win among the four major championships after Yang Yong-eun (49, 2009 PGA Championship). He is the first Japanese male to win a major, while women Hisako Higuchi (1977 PGA Women's Championship) and Hinako Shibuno (2019 British Women's Open) have also won majors. Starting the day with a four-stroke lead, Matsuyama made four birdies and five bogeys. After a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4), he recovered with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 5), then energized himself with consecutive birdies on the 8th and 9th holes.
At the "Amen Corner" (holes 11-13), he recovered a bogey on the 12th hole (par 3) with a birdie on the 13th hole (par 5). Although he made three more bogeys afterward, they did not affect his winning score. It is interesting that Matsuyama shed tears after securing the victory. He first participated in the Masters as an amateur in 2011 after winning the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, finishing as the top amateur (tied 27th), and achieved his personal best (5th place) in 2015. This year marks his 10th attempt.
"I was very nervous in the back nine," said Matsuyama, adding, "Something unbelievable happened. I hope this victory inspires many Japanese players to reach the top." Matsuyama is the pride of Japanese men's golf. As an amateur, he caused a sensation by winning the JGTO Daihyo Masters in 2011, and after turning professional in 2013, he swept four wins to become the first rookie money leader.
During his amateur days, he was overshadowed by Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) and remained second best, but he succeeded in overtaking him on the PGA Tour. He claimed his first win at the 2014 Memorial Tournament after a playoff battle against Kevin Na (USA), and won twice each in 2016 and 2017. He was once ranked No. 2 in the world but had not won for nearly four years since. He has a unique habit of briefly pausing at the top of his backswing.
Will Zalatoris (USA) shot two under to finish second (9-under 279). Xander Schauffele (USA), who was chasing by two strokes, collapsed with a triple bogey after hitting his tee shot into the water on the 16th hole (par 3). Jordan Spieth (USA) tied for third (7-under 281). "Number 3" Jon Rahm (Spain) surged with a 6-under round to jump to a tie for fifth (6-under 282). Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) remained tied for 12th (2-under 286).
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