However, while Matsuyama can rid his country’s Major monkey at Augusta National today, he is far from the Land of the Rising Sun’s only star. Here are the best golfers of Japanese heritage.
Matsuyama’s goal? It’s probably to take out any active pushing or swinging in his putting stroke so he can let Sir Isaac Newton shoulder some of the load.
Marc Leishman kept himself in contention for a Masters victory at Augusta National today but the focus will fall on Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama tomorrow as he chases a piece of history.
McIlroy finds himself this year on the verge of missing the cut for just the second time at Augusta National and for the first time since 2010, his second time playing the tournament.
An unabashed fan of the golf course and the creativity that it both demands and rewards, Smith spent Monday refamiliarising himself with an Augusta National that is significantly firmer than it was five months ago.