Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama is back in the winner’s circle for the first time since his triumph in Augusta back in April, and he did it in his home county winning the ZOZO Championship last weekend. Hideki and Americans Brenden Steele & Cameron Tringale were only a couple shots apart and trailing Hideki for most of the round, including going into 18 where Tringale was only two shots back. But after Hideki hit a 3-wood to what had to look like inches from where he was standing, and made eagle on 18 it was over. Tringale bogeyed the hole and the native secures his first PGA Tour win in his home country. He said in some interviews after the round that it was one of his biggest goals to win in front of the Japanese fans who have given him so much support throughout his career. All things considered, it’s been a really big year for him. He becomes a Masters Champion and winning in Japan.
He’s not in the field this week in Bermuda, assuming he’s enjoying the win back home, but we’re certainly looking forward to seeing him a lot this year. He’s competitive, and we all know that winning sparks more winning. Would be fantastic to see him win another major this season and will be interesting to see how he defends his green jacket in April.