Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese golfer to win the sport’s Masters tournament.
Matsuyama, 29, shot one-over 73, his highest score of the week, to win the 85th Masters on Sunday in Augusta, Georgia, with the help of defending champion Dustin Johnson, who then presented Matsuyama with his green jacket after his victory.
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2021
“I’m really happy,” Matsuyama said through an interpreter after his victory. “Hopefully, I’ll be a pioneer with this win and many other Japanese will follow. I’m glad to be able to open the floodgates hopefully, and many more will follow me. It is thrilling so many youngsters in Japan are watching. Hopefully, in five years, they will be competing on a world stage.”
THE MASTERS PUTS LIFE BACK ON COURSE
Matsuyama’s victory was celebrated by many affiliated with the sport.
Congratulations Japan…
I know how much this means to you#HidekiMatsuyama pic.twitter.com/y2MSNsywoZ— Steve Elkington (@elkpga) April 11, 2021
I want to send my heartfelt congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama for his Masters Tournament victory, and for being the first Japanese male golfer to win a major championship. I’m not only very happy and pleased for Hideki, but also the whole golfing world of Japan. pic.twitter.com/m56JVHH0LI
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) April 12, 2021
Congrats to @TheMasters champ, Hideki Matsuyama!! What an achievement for you and for Japan ??… you’re inspiring young people everywhere to play golf. Amazing to see! #themasters #welcometotheclub ?????? https://t.co/rPf9hqltfp
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 12, 2021
Making Japan proud Hideki. Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical @TheMasters win will impact the entire golf world.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 11, 2021
The historic win closed a tournament marked by controversy. Rory McIlroy, the former top golfer in the world, accidentally struck his father with a wayward shot on Thursday.
The decision to hold the Masters in the state of Georgia drew scrutiny from critics of the state’s new voting law, which includes provisions requiring voter identification requirements and limiting ballot drop boxes. Many on the Left argued that the legislation will hamper minorities’ ability to vote, and several corporations based in the state have issued statements disapproving of the law.
After Major League Baseball announced it was relocating its 2021 All-Star game from Atlanta to Denver, Colorado, in protest of the law, many activists called on the to follow suit, a proposal that was dismissed by Fred Ridley, the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters tournament.
“We realize that views and opinions on this law differ, and there have been calls for boycotts and other punitive measures. Unfortunately, those actions often impose the greatest burdens on the most vulnerable in our society,” Ridley said, referencing the city of about 200,000 people where the tournament is located.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The 2021 Masters tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club, had a purse of $11.5 million, with the winner getting $2.07 million. The competition, which began on Thursday, saw a field of 88 players vying for the famous green jacket awarded to the victor.
