Hideki Matsuyama is making his first start since winning the Masters a month ago, hoping to regain the form that saw him become the first male Japanese golfer to win a major championship.
There was brief period for Matsuyama to deal with his game as he returned home to Japan following his victory – and afterward needed to isolate for about fourteen days due to the Covid pandemic.
“After you win a tournament and 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 practice very much at all,” Matsuyama said Tuesday through interpreter Bob Turner at the AT&T Byron Nelson outside of Dallas. “And then coming back here, really one of my goals now is just to try and find my game again and prepare for the PGA Championship next week.”
Matsuyama said he couldn’t see his wife, daughter or parents until after his isolate finished.
During the isolation, he set aside some effort to absorb the victory.
“I was able to probably read every news article and magazine and TV,” Matsuyama said. “And seeing how the Masters win was portrayed in Japan was great — really unforgettable — and that really stands out for my trip to Japan.”
Matsuyama said it was “by far” the most he had ever read about himself.
“A bit embarrassing,” Matsuyama said. “I’m not used to all that attention, but grateful that people took notice.”
Despite the fact that he didn’t watch the whole transmission of the Masters, Matsuyama said he watched features.
“I got nervous again, just like I was playing,” he said. “It was at some points difficult to watch because I was so nervous and all those nervous memories were brought back.”
Matsuyama had a sizable lead on the back nine preceding missing three of the last four openings to hang on and win by 1 shot over Will Zalatoris.
Concerning the green jacket, Matsuyama brought it home to Japan and wore it twice – during a news meeting and again while being respected by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
“Very proud to be able to show it to my parents and family and friends,” Matsuyama said.