Back to the grind
Matsuyama returns to action at the Byron Nelson tourney
TEXAS: Japan’s history maker Hideki Matsuyama returns for his first tournament this week following his momentous US Masters Tournament victory which he hopes will pave the way to more success on the PGA Tour.
A month after becoming the first Japanese to don the Green Jacket, Matsuyama tees off at the Byron Nelson tournament at the TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, Dallas today.
And he has an eye on the PGA Championship next weekend.
He said his time spent at home allowed him to soak in the magnitude of his success at Augusta National, which created headlines throughout Japan and around the world.
He also earned the Prime Minister’s Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious accolades.
“I was quarantined for two weeks and I was able to probably read every news article and magazine and watch TV,” said Matsuyama.
“And seeing how the Masters win was portrayed in Japan was great, really unforgettable, and that really stands out for my trip back to Japan. It was by far the most enduring.
“And also a bit embarrassing as I’m not used to all that attention but grateful that people took notice.
He returned to the US at the end of last week in preparation of this week’s tournament and got straight back to work on Monday.
“After you win a tournament, you make some adjustments and you go on but this time going back to Japan and really not picking up a club much over there, I didn’t get to practise very much at all,” said Matsuyama.
“And right now one of my goals is just to try and find my game again and prepare for the PGA Championship next week.
“It was a relief, really ... to win the Masters. It had been awhile and now moving forward, I still have the drive to want to win more on the PGA Tour.
“It’s kind of an unusual combination of the two feelings of how I look at myself and hopefully I’ll be successful in the future.”
As he looks ahead to earning more silverware and prepare for an upcoming appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July, Matsuyama will also do his homework on what to serve in the Masters Champions’ dinner next April.
The winner enjoys the privilege of setting the menu and Matsuyama hopes to introduce some of Japan’s finest delicacies to fellow Masters champions.
“Sushi does come to mind. I’m a little worried. I don’t know if everyone will really like sushi or not, but I’m going to check with some people and get their advice and what they think,” he said.
“There’s a lot of really good food from Japan and some of the best beef in the world ... so I’m thinking about that and looking forward to it next year.”