Hideki Matsuyama, a familiar face at Augusta National, will make his 13th start at the 2024 Masters this week. The 2021 Masters champion holds the seventh-best odds to win, tied with Joaquin Niemann and behind Xander Schauffele, who is yet to capture a major title.
Matsuyama has been in impressive form this season, with no missed cuts and a recent victory at the Genesis Invitational. His recent finishes include T-12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T-6 at the Players Championship, and T-7 at the Valero Texas Open.
The Japanese star has revealed a change in his pre-Masters preparation, now opting to play the week before the tournament. “It’s been able to get me into tournament shape. But then, on other hand, too, you get tired from playing two in a row. So I’m still searching for that perfect preparation method.”
Matsuyama’s Masters journey has been a long and rewarding one. A back-to-back Asia-Pacific Amateur champion in 2010 and 2011, he was the low amateur at the 2011 Masters and has missed the cut just once, back in 2014. His average finish at the tournament is 16th, with his worst made-cut performance being a T-54 in 2014.
Matsuyama prefers a firm and fast Augusta
“Winning the Asian Amateur twice and being invited to the Masters tournament was really life-changing. I always wanted to play here in the Masters. I watched it on TV a lot,” Matsuyama said. “I’m grateful to the members of Augusta National Golf Club for what they have done, not only for me, but for golf in Asia. It’s been quite rewarding. Then to be able to win this tournament was a thrill beyond thrills.”
The weather forecast for this year’s Masters looks relatively clean, with some showers expected on Thursday. Matsuyama prefers a firm and fast Augusta National, as it plays to his strengths. “If the course is playing hard and fast, it’s more difficult. Winning score is usually lower – not lower, but higher. When it’s wet, I mean, it can go to 20-under,” he explained. “I like both, but if it goes to 20-under, my chances are – get slimmer. So, I would like a more, tougher setup where it plays dryer, fast and hard. I think I have a better chance when it’s playing that way.”
As Matsuyama continues his search for perfection, he remains a serious contender at the 2024 Masters, with his experience and recent form making him a force to be reckoned with.
