Japanese player six ahead nails victory by one

A young Japanese player has become the first oriental to win the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, USA.  The 29-year old Hideki Matsuyama was in the mix on day one but showed his staying power on the final day (Sunday, 11 April 2021) by taking his six-shot lead down the final nine.  Matsuyama emerged as the Masters Champion on 10-under par by one slender shot from an impressive young American Masters debutant, Will Zalatoris.

 

The final round got off to a wild start as Matsuyama played his tee-shot off to the right at the first.  But the shock must have steadied his nerves.  Thereafter it just seemed to be plain sailing for the Japanese golfer in the 85th edition of the Masters.  He started Sunday’s round in Georgia at 11-under par which was four shots ahead of Zalatoris, America’s Xander Schauffele, England’s Justin Rose, and Australia’s Marc Leishman.  Various players made a charge, but Matsuyama just kept on pulling away.  A birdie at the 9th hole got him to 13-under par.  Zalatoris made a bogey here to get him to 8-under.

 

Amen Corner

 

The well-covered holes of Amen Corner might well prove a challenge for Matsuyama.  Would his wheels come off on the water holes?  Well, the holes of 11, 12 and 13 at Augusta National were safe as houses with Hideki.  He birdied the 12th, bogeyed the 13th and then bogeyed 15, 16 and 18 to close Sunday’s final round at 10-under par.  It was a day of sunshine and blue skies.

 

Will Zalatoris was already waiting quietly at the clubhouse with the rather limited public attendance at the Masters due to the Corona virus.  He had played one truly memorable week finishing just one shot behind on 9-under.

 

Zalatoris is a name to remember

 

The name of Will Zalatoris will stay with us for some time.  The razor-thin, blond-haired streak of a player arrived at Augusta National keen to play his utmost best in the Masters.  At just 24, he was young and enthusiastic.  He made a late qualifying for the Masters due to his top-50 world ranking.  Thankfully he did not suffer from all the aches and pains of years of battling it out in the Majors.  He was fresh and his attitude was scintillating.  His climb to the top of the game of golf has been simply spectacular.  Make a note: Will Zalatoris.

 

American Dustin Johnson’s bid to add another Masters victory to his collection was thwarted when he made a double bogey on the 18th hole on Thursday.  The defending champion with the lowest ever recorded score at Augusta National of 20-under par in 2020 was two over par which left him with some space to make the cut on Friday but alas a 75 on day two meant “Bye, bye, home time, DJ!”.

 

What happened to Justin Rose?

 

The 40-year old Englishman was in search of his second Major title at Augusta National.  On day three he had to seek shelter from the storm in the clubhouse with the rest of the field.  He had started his round with two birdies, a par and then two unfortunate bogeys.  The player had to find some comfort at the 19th.  It wasn’t to be his day.  When play resumed 80 minutes later, he blemished his card with a bogey at the 16th after making just one birdie at the par 3, 12th for a level par round of 72.  On Sunday he teed-off in the top four but couldn’t get his game elevated to Matsuyama’s level.  Although the press were willing him on the attention was left for the firm leaders Matsuyama and runner-up Xander Schauffele.

 

 

And what a winner Hideki Matsuyama has turned out to be.  He has picked up the 85th Masters Tournament title played in the shadow of the Corona virus.  The coveted Green Jacket will be a constant reminder of his resolve to win a Major in these difficult times.

 

Many congratulations Hideki Matsuyama!  You are the Masters Champion for 2021!

 

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

The Masters Champion for 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) -10

More leading scores:  2nd W. Zalatoris (America) -9; T3rd. J. Spieth and X. Schauffele (America) -7; T5th. J. Rahm (Spain) and M. Leishman (Australia) -6; 7th J. Rose (England) -5.

The cut:  54 players made the cut which came at +3.

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Japanese player Hideki Matsuyama on his way to victory in the 2021 Masters at Augusta National, USA.  MINIS: (l-r) Hideki Matsuyama on the first tee; Mark Leishman, Justin Rose and 2021 Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama.