Thrilled Japanese followers welcomed Hideki Matsuyama’s historic Masters victory on Monday, with broadcasters near tears and the nation’s prime minister hailing the win as a vivid spot through the pandemic.
“Matsuyama Masters” trended on Twitter after the 29-year-old earned himself a spot in historical past by turning into the primary Japanese man to seize a serious golf title.
“Matsuyama opens the door of history,” declared the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
In Japan, the one-stroke victory got here early on Monday morning, with some broadcasters carrying reside footage of his remaining spherical 73 that noticed him end on 10-under par.
On personal station TBS, broadcasters and commentators choked up as Matsuyama sank the ultimate putt to say the inexperienced jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy.
“Congratulations. Thank you,” a presenter stated as two golf commentators subsequent to him struggled to carry again tears.
TV networks ran breaking information flashes asserting the victory and a number of newspapers revealed particular editions normally reserved just for main tales.
On Twitter, followers flooded to congratulate the nation’s new sporting hero.
“I can’t see through my tears,” one fan wrote.
Even Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga weighed in, telling reporters the efficiency had been “really wonderful.”
“I think it encouraged and excited people across Japan at a time when the impact from coronavirus is lingering,” he stated.
“It is a great achievement.”
Public broadcaster NHK carried interviews with delighted residents of the golfer’s hometown — Matsuyama metropolis in western Japan’s Ehime.
“It’s great news that will encourage everyone,” one middle-aged man stated.
“I hope this brilliant achievement by such a young man will offer hope for everyone,” he added.
Matsuyama, who held off Americans Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth to say the $2.07 million winner’s prize, is just the second Asian man to triumph in a golf main, after South Korea’s Yang Yong-eun received the 2009 PGA Championship.
Ranked twenty fifth, he had not received for the reason that 2017 WGC Akron match, however calmly floor out clutch pars and struck for essential birdies in a pressure-packed march to glory at Augusta National.
Japan’s two earlier main golf titles belonged to ladies, Chako Higuchi on the 1977 LPGA Championship and Hinako Shibuno on the 2019 Women’s British Open.
And the very best earlier main showings by Japanese males had been Isao Aoki’s runner-up place on the 1980 US Open and Matsuyama’s share of second on the 2017 US Open.
In Matsuyama metropolis, one resident stated the hometown hero’s win was some much-needed gentle reduction.
“I’m so happy to hear it, as we haven’t had much good news lately,” the younger lady instructed NHK.
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