Hideki Matsuyama begins the defence of his Masters title this week but revealed his regret of how he treated golf's most coveted fashion statement: "I just spent a year looking at it. I haven't really worn it that much, but I look at it a lot. And now I wish I would have worn it more." To keep his hands on the Green Jacket, the 30-year old faces the difficult task of back-to-back victories; something last done by Tiger Woods in '01/'02.
As well as not wearing it as often as he should have, Matsuyama expressed his fear of having it cleaned. The reigning champion said: "It needed to be cleaned, but I just was so worried that something might happen to it. So I didn't want to let it out of my sight." Although not wearing the Green Jacket might be considered a golfing faux pas, we can all relate to protecting it at all costs!
Matsuyama arrives at Augusta National with a neck injury that has been plaguing him since the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The eight-time PGA Tour winner revealed: "The last couple of weeks, have been a struggle. Hopefully I can find my game and be a worthy defending champion," he said. "I had a lot of treatment last week, though, at Valero Texas Open." The pain forced the 30-year old to withdraw in Texas and instead shift all focus to Augusta National.
"Monday and Tuesday, I was pain free, feeling really good. Then woke up Wednesday morning, and the neck was stiff again. But I've had, again, a lot of treatment the last couple of days."
Matsuyama had previously been battling back injuries which forced him out of the Players Championship and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Whilst the prognosis appeared bleak last week, things seem to have improved: "I just came from the practice range and really felt good. It's probably the best I felt in a long time. So I'm looking forward to Thursday, and hopefully I'll be 100 percent by then."
Before he takes to the course, Matsuyama will serve up a delicious Japanese inspired menu at the Champions Dinner.
-
How Adam Scott Helped Shape The Design Of The Two New L.A.B. Golf PuttersToday marks the exciting release of the L.A.B. Golf OZ.1 collection. Let’s take a closer look at what golfers can expect…
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret ThemAt times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
-
Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane HelenePer photos via Eureka Earth on X, several holes at Augusta National appear very different to normal after damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion Confirms He Will Give Up Major Starts In Favor Of Immediate DP World Tour ChanceChina's Wenyi Ding confirmed he will be leaving college and giving up starts at The Masters and The Open Championship in favor of immediately starting his pro career
-
'A Lot Of Damage' To Augusta National But Masters Expected To Be Held As PlannedAugusta National chairman Fred Ridley says The Masters will be staged on time despite extensive damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
This Much-Loved Masters Feature Just Made Its Full LIV Golf DebutThe 'Any Shot, Any Time' feature officially launched on the LIV Golf app in Andalucia as Sergio Garcia claimed victory at Valderrama
-
Are Masters Champions Exempt For Life?Winning the Masters comes with a lifetime exemption to future tournaments
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This WeekCareer amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
-
Scheffler The New Tiger? Time For Woods To Say Goodbye? 10 Takeaways From The 2024 MastersWe highlight ten of the key stories to come from the 88th edition of the Masters
-
Tommy Fleetwood Banks Huge Sum For Local Augusta Caddie After Englishman's Best Masters ResultGray Moore is a former Augusta National caddie master who was helping Fleetwood out after his regular caddie Ian Finnis was forced to stay home
