Shanghai heat

Matsuyama feeling the pressure ahead of WGC title defence

SHANGHAI: Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama (pic) admitted that he is under pressure to replicate the storming performance that propelled him to WGC-HSBC Cham-pions glory in Shanghai one year ago.

The Japanese opens his defence of “Asia’s major” today alongside world number one Dustin Johnson of the United States and fast-rising Spaniard Jon Rahm.

The trio are among the headline attractions of a star-studded field at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Other leading contenders at the event, which is on the US PGA Tour and European Tour, include last year’s runner-up Henrik Stenson, Olympic champion Justin Rose and a clutch of current and former Major winners in Phil Mickelson, Jason Day and Brooks Koepka.

The 25- year- old Matsuyama became the first Asian to win a World Golf Championship a year ago and it was the catalyst for a brilliant run that also delivered the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title in August.

“It is different coming back as defending champion,” said Matsuyama, the world number four who seared his way to victory last year by a comprehensive seven shots from the Swede Stenson and Daniel Berger of the United States.

“I don’t want to put a lot of pressure or expectation on myself, I just want to let the tournament come to me, like it did last year.

“All I can do is try to play my best and hopefully I will play well.”

Making Matsuyama’s task all the harder, he will also have to contend with a growing challenge from the home golfers.

Prime among the Chinese who will hope to be in the mix on the final day on Sunday are Li Haotong, a rising talent who underlined his potential with an eye-catching third-placed finish at the British Open in July.

Matsuyama said that he believes Asian players still have a gap to make up on the top American and European players, with the top three in the world all from the United States – Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

And he said that having got close to the top of the world rankings, he now had a battle to stay there, particularly with the likes of the powerful Rahm coming up fast behind him.

“To stay on top and continue on top, I am still learning how to do that,” admitted Matsuyama. — AFP

To stay on top and continue on top, I am still learning how to do that.

Hideki Matsuyama