The Masters

Matsuyama Makes Masters History With Japanese Victory

Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a major by holding his nerve down the stretch to capture the 85th Masters after a dramatic final round.

Carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders in a pressure-packed match at Augusta National, Matsuyama hung on over the final holes for a one-stroke victory and a place for the ages in Japanese sports history.

Matsuyama said, “I’m really happy, hopefully, I’ll be a pioneer in this and many other Japanese will follow. I’m happy to open the floodgate and many more will follow me.

“Maybe a lot of younger golfers thought, ‘That’s an impossibility,’ but with me doing it they will realize it is possible, and if they set their minds to it they can do it.”

American Will Zalatoris was second in his Master's debut on 279 after a closing 70 with US three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and American Schauffele sharing third on 281.