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Agence France-Presse

With a new coach solving swing issues and reduced celebrity media stress this week, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama finds himself on the verge of a historic victory at the Masters.
Matsuyama fired a seven-under par 65 Saturday, his lowest score in 37 career rounds at Augusta National and the week’s first bogey-free round, to grab a four-stroke lead after 54 holes on 11-under 205.
About the only thing that’s a mystery to him so far at Augusta National is what it would mean to his golf-loving homeland if he becomes the first Japanese man to win a major title.
“I’m not sure how to answer the question,” Matsuyama said through a translator. “All I can do is prepare well, try my best, and do the best that I can tomorrow.”
Kim si-woo still in the mix despite putting with 3-wood after breaking putter
Two Japanese women have won major titles, Hinako Shibuno at the 2019 Women’s British Open and Chako Higuchi at the 1977 LPGA Championship.
Two Japanese men have managed major runner-up finishes, Isao Aoki at the 1980 US Open and Matsuyama when he shared second at the 2017 US Open.


The only Asian man to win a major golf title was South Korea’s Yang Yong-eun at the 2009 PGA Championship.
Often feeling pressure from Japanese media, Matsuyama says a limited media contingent at the Masters due to Covid-19 concerns has helped ease his stress load.
Masters champion Dustin Johnson leads big names to miss the cut
“Being in front of the media is still difficult,” Matsuyama said. “I’m glad the media are here covering it, but it’s not my favourite thing to do, to stand and answer questions.
“And so with fewer media, it has been a lot less stressful for me, and I’ve enjoyed this week.”
Matsuyama, who hasn’t won since the 2017 Akron WGC event, has seven top-10 finishes in majors, including his 2017 US Open effort that boosted him to a career-best second in the world rankings.
But he hasn’t found success lately until now, a change he partly credits to new coach Hidenori Mezawa.
“This year has been a struggle. Haven’t really played my best,” Matsuyama said. “The last three years there have been different reasons why I haven’t been able to win.”
Matsuyama, 29, says he has recaptured the magic of his finest shotmaking.
“This year, starting early in the year, I have a coach with me now from Japan. It has been a great help,” he said.
“Things that I was feeling in my swing, I could talk to him about that, and he always gives me good feedback. He has a good eye.


“It’s like having a mirror for my swing and it has been a great help for me. We worked hard, and hopefully now it’s all starting to come together.”
Matsuyama is on the brink of taking a dream green jacket after watching 15-time major champion Tiger Woods deliver glorious Masters victories.
“I have a lot of great memories watching the Masters as a young boy. First time I watched, Tiger Woods was the winner,” he said. “I was always dreaming some day I could play here.”
He got the chance by twice winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, an event founded with help from Augusta National to develop golf in the region.
“That experience really gave me a lot of confidence,” Matsuyama said. “I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the members of Augusta National because I wouldn’t be here today without them.”
Matsuyama shot 68 in only his third round at Augusta at the 2011 Masters. He was low amateur and 27th in his major debut.


“It’s a round I’ll never forget,” he said. “It gave me the confidence that I could play here. I could play with professional golf as a career.”
That confidence got a boost when he went four-under in Saturday’s last four holes to seize the lead after a poor drive into the right rough at the 11th hole just before a rain delay.
“I probably hit the worst shot I’ve hit this week,” Matsuyama said. “During the rain delay, I just figured I can’t hit anything worse than that.”
After birdies at 11 and 12, he hit a 5-iron to six feet to eagle the par-5 15th, an 8-iron inches from the hole at 16 for birdie and a wedge to six feet at 17 for birdie.
“The 5-iron at 15, by far probably, the best shot I’ve hit this week,” he said.


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The Masters

Masters: Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama on the brink of historic major victory

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits the top of the leaderboard at Augusta. Photo: Kyodo

Hideki Matsuyama holds a four-shot lead at the top of the Masters leader board heading ino the final round of action. Photo: Kyodo

Masters 2021: Kim si-woo still in the mix despite putting with 3-wood after breaking putter

Si Woo Kim, of South Korea, leans on his 3 wood which he had to use to putt on the 16th green during the second round of the 2021 Masters. Photo: AP

PGA: Talk about Georgia voter rights controversy, not ‘whether we’re here or not’ says Morikawa

Collin Morikawa on the 15th tee box during a practice round at the 2021 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Photo: EPA  

Collin Morikawa putts at the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Photo: AFP

Supporters of Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, who was arrested last week for knocking on governor’s office door as he signed voting legislation, leave the State Capitol in Atlanta. Photo: AP

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan with US golfer Justin Thomas at the trophy ceremony after winning The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida in March. Photo: EPA

Sport

Golf


Hideki Matsuyama hits first bogey-free round of the week to take a commanding four-shot lead in the Masters going into round four



Hideki Matsuyama hits first bogey-free round of the week to take a commanding four-shot lead in the Masters going into round four.
