A boyhood fantasy that turned into reality for Hideki Matsuyama is now destined to spark new dreams amongst Asian kids and potentially create the next golf rush in Japan and across the region.
Like so many, Matsuyama, 29, grew up watching his idol Tiger Woods dominate the Masters at Augusta National, often wondering if he would one day compete at the revered golf tournament and earn all of its customary trappings — a green jacket, lifetime tournament winner’s exemption and that exclusive dinner date every Tuesday of the tournament week with fellow Masters champions.
“I have a lot of great memories watching the Masters as a young boy. I was always dreaming someday I could play here,” he recalled.
Carrying the hopes of a golf-mad nation in trying to become its first male major champion, Matsuyama kept his date with destiny by prevailing in a nervy but fulfilling…
