“What a thrill and honour it will be to take the Green Jacket back to Japan”
Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a Major Championship with his one-shot victory at Augusta National
How much pressure did you feel out there? Were you a little more nervous than you looked?
My nerves didn’t start on the second nine, it was right from the start and right to the very last putt. My plan was to wake up about 9:30, but needless to say, I arose much earlier than that and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I came to the golf course early and had a really good warm-up. I felt really good going to the 1st tee, until I stood on the 1st tee. Then it hit me that I’m in the last group of The Masters and I’m the leader by four strokes. And then I was really nervous.
What was going through your mind?
I was thinking about my family all the way around. I was really happy that I played well for them. When the final putt went in, I really wasn’t thinking of anything. But then hugging Xander, then when I saw my caddie, Shota, and hugged him, I was happy for him because this is his first victory on the bag. And then it started sinking in, the joy of being a Masters Champion.
What was the most important shot you struck all week, and what was the strongest part of your game?
It’s been a struggle recently. This year, I’ve had no top-tens, I haven’t even contended. So I came to Augusta with little or no expectations. But as the week progressed, as I practised, especially on Wednesday, I felt something again. I found something in my swing. And when that happens, the confidence returns. So I started the tournament with a lot of confidence. And as far as the best shot, probably the last tee shot at 18, hitting the fairway. I knew I had to do that.
Can you tell us what it means to your country to have a Masters Champion?
Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese will follow. I’m glad to be able to open the floodgates hopefully, and many more will follow me. It’s thrilling to think that there are a lot of youngsters in Japan watching. Hopefully in five, ten years, when they get a little older, 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. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like, but what a thrill and honour it will be for me to take the Green Jacket back to Japan. I’m really looking forward to it.
Nick Faldo has already speculated that you might be chosen to light the Olympic cauldron in July. Is that something you would love to do?
If the schedules work out and I am in Japan when that happens and they ask me, what an honour that would be. I’m really looking forward to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. If I am on the team, and maybe it looks like I will be, I’ll do my best to represent my country. Hopefully I’ll play well.