Matsuyama Maintains Hopes of Making More Masters History

Augusta, Georgia, United States: For several weeks, Hideki Matsuyama was a doubtful starter for his Masters defence. His never-say-die attitude, however, has now put him in the hunt for potentially more golf history at Augusta National.

On a day when conditions were tricked up by swirly and gusting winds and only 13 players broke par, Japan’s first Major champion fired a gutsy three-under 69 to share second place with three others, and lie five strokes behind world number one Scottie Scheffler who seized control of the tournament at the half-way stage with a stellar 67.

Scheffler, who has won three of his last five PGA Tour tournaments, became the sixth player to hold a five-shot lead through 36 holes in Masters history with his eight-under 136 total.

First round leader Im Sung-jae of Korea slipped back after a 74 to be bunched on 141 with Matsuyama, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (69) and Shane Lowry of Ireland (68) while Tiger Woods continued his remarkable comeback from a serious leg injury with a 74 to stand on 145 in tied 19th.

Only three golfers – Woods (2001, 2002), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) and Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966) – have successfully defended their titles in Masters history. Aiming to emulate them, Matsuyama has shown tremendous fighting spirit, first by overcoming his lingering injury woes, and then producing some wonderful golf to raise Asia’s hopes once more.

Following an opening 72 on Thursday, he used a hot start with three birdies over his first six holes to haul himself into contention. The 30-year-old, who became Asia’s second male Major champion 12 months ago, missed several opportunities to go even lower, lipping out on the eighth and missing makeable opportunities on his closing two holes.

When he got into trouble, the eight-time PGA Tour winner, currently fourth on the FedEx Cup standings, showed some deft touches to make par saves on 12, 13 and 14 following a combination of missed greens and an errant shot into Rae’s Creek at the par-five 13th hole.

“I think I played well. Justin (Thomas), who I was playing alongside, easily shot five-under and he gave me a boost which resulted in my good performance,” said Matsuyama. “My goal is to play good golf. But it’s easier said than done. I will make sure to prepare myself well (for the weekend).”

Two-time PGA Tour winner Im remains in the hunt for a first Major victory following three birdies against five bogeys. Im, who was runner-up on his Masters debut in November 2020, said: “The weather was very fluctuating … the wind directions were confusing when I was trying to decide on hitting shots. Some of the headwinds made iron selection difficult. But we still have two more days to go.”

Thirteen years after countryman YE Yang became Asia’s first Major winner at the 2009 PGA Championship, the 24-year-old has big dreams of joining the exclusive Major club. “If I continue to focus on my game and just hit shot after shot, round after round, I think it’ll come to good results,” said Im. “If I win a Major championship, it’ll certainly have a huge impact in a variety of ways, but for junior golfers looking up to me and wanting to having dreams to come out to play here, it’ll definitely have a positive impact.”

Matsuyama was the only one of three Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winners to survive the cut for the leading 50 players and ties, which came at four-over 148.

Agonisingly missing out by one was Takumi Kanaya, while Keita Nakajima, well positioned after a first-day 72, was left to rue a poor back nine on day two as he fell short by three strokes.

Kanaya, the 2018 AAC winner, suffered a dreadful start to round two, dropping four strokes over the opening four holes. But he fought back well and was two-over through 12 before parring the final six holes to sign for a 74, one better than his opening-day effort.

For his part, World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Nakajima, winner of the AAC in Dubai late last year, saw his hopes of playing all four rounds evaporate after a birdie-less 79. Two-over through 11, he ran up a double-bogey five at the short 12th after air-mailing the green with his tee shot and having to take a penalty drop. Further bogeys followed at 14, 15 and 18

With all six amateurs in the starting line-up failing to make the cut there will be no Low Amateur award this year. Small consolation for Nakajima was that he was the joint lowest-scoring amateur, tied for 65th place at seven-over 151, alongside Austin Greaser, runner-up in last year’s US Amateur.

Four more former AAC participants have made it through to the weekend with Korean Kim Si-woo (tied 23rd, 146) joining the Australian trio of Cameron Smith (tied sixth, 142), Cameron Davis and Min Woo Lee (both among a large group in tied 45th on 148).

But among those making an early exit were Korean KH Lee (149) and Australian Lucas Herbert (150).

Lee was looking comfortable at one-under through 27 holes, but was bitten by Amen Corner, a double-bogey six at 10 followed by further dropped shots at 11, 12 and 13 and another at 17 as he limped home in 42 for a round of 75.