An Amazing Weekend In Golf
An Amazing Weekend In Golf
By: Shivane Anand
“A tradition unlike any other” is one of the greatest sayings in all of sports. It characterizes the Masters tournament better than anything else. As some of the world's top golfers strolled down Magnolia Lane on April 5th to begin Masters week, there was tons of chatter surrounding the absence of Tiger Woods. A month and a half before the highly anticipated Masters golf tournament, Tiger Woods got into a horrific car accident that resulted in fractured legs and a lengthy timetable for recovery. Without Woods, a Masters champion in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019, the tournament was set to be full of surprises, with the entire field vying for the title. Anyone and everyone had a shot at the Green Jacket, and the whole golf world was in for a wild ride.
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many changes to how the golf season has functioned, the Masters tour members played this year just a short five and half months from the 2020 edition. Defending champion Dustin Johnson, in addition to Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, and 2015 champion Jordan Spieth, were all fan choices to win the Green Jacket in 2021. However, one unexpected but familiar face had other ideas. Hideki Matsuyama, a consistent, calm, and down-to-earth golfer from Japan, displayed his composure and skill that would see him in contention on Sunday of the Masters.
When Round 1 began play on Thursday, conditions seemed to be very different from the November tournament. The greens were fast and firm, the fairways were rolling, and the famous difficult pin positions were hard to reach. Thursday’s play saw some of the world’s best struggle to get going, but at the end of the day, Justin Rose led the field at -7, four shots better than his competitors, including Hideki Matsuyama. Outside of the few on top sat 2017 champion Sergio Garcia, who said that Round 1 was like “going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield.” Round 2 wasn’t any easier on the field, with perennial favorites missing the cut. Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia, and others finished above the cutline and missed the chance at a Green Jacket. After day two, Justin Rose remained on top at -7, but challengers were closing in with young star Will Zalatoris at -6, Jordan Spieth at -5, and Hideki Matsuyama at -4.
Rounds 3 and 4 this past weekend began to write the legacy of Hideki Matsuyama. After shooting a 65 on Saturday, Matsuyama was at -11, and the rest of the field was just a speck in the rearview mirror. Sunday brought out all the emotions for a thrilling finish to a fantastic week. With the weight of an entire country on his back, Hideki Matsuyama was willed to the finish as he made save after save, even after hitting into the water on hole 15, to see himself carry a two-shot lead onto the 18th hole. With the prospect of not only being the first Japanese golfer ever to win the Masters but to win a Major, he showed respect to Augusta National Golf Club by playing it the way it was designed, with precision off the tee and accuracy on the greens. With two putts to win the tournament, Matsuyama tapped in on his second and made it official, the first-ever male Japanese golfer to win a major. With the usual roar that followed, Matsuyama shook hands with playing partner Xander Schauffele and his caddie but then embraced his caddie and the tears that followed. As Matsuyama’s caddie replaced the flag for one last time, he removed his hat and bowed to the course.
This utmost sign of respect for a legendary course summarizes Hideki Matsuyama’s week. As Dustin Johnson placed the Green Jacket on Matsuyama’s back, his smile amplified and conveyed each Japanese citizen’s feelings that they were home to a champion after so long. Every young golfer in Japan sees this win as an entrance into the game of golf. Hideki Matsuyama, with one win, has quite possibly inspired a new generation of this great game. No one will ever forget this win and its impact on the world. Every year, Matusyma will have the chance to come back to Augusta; however, this time, he will return as a champion not only of the Masters but of Japanese golf in general.