Victory at the 2021 Masters Tournament established Hideki Matsuyama as the first Japanese golfer to secure a men's major championship. Born in 1992 in Matsuyama, Japan, he rose through the ranks as a prominent amateur before embarking on a professional career that led him to become the most successful Japanese player in the history of the PGA Tour.
Amateur Development and Early Success
Introduced to the sport by his father at age four, Matsuyama focused on competitive play during his youth. He transferred to Meitoku Gijuku Junior & Senior High School in Kochi Prefecture to improve his training environment. While studying at Tohoku Fukushi University, he won the 2010 Asian Amateur Championship. His performance qualified him for the 2011 Masters Tournament, where he earned the Silver Cup as the lowest-scoring amateur. By August 2012, he held the top position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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Turning professional in April 2013, Matsuyama immediately claimed victory at the Tsuruya Open on the Japan Golf Tour. His debut season included four Japan Golf Tour titles, making him the first rookie to lead the tour's money list. By 2014, he qualified for the PGA Tour. His initial campaign featured six top-25 finishes in seven events, and he secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2014 Memorial Tournament by defeating Kevin Na in a playoff.
Global Standing and Major Wins
Matsuyama consistently performed at the highest level of professional golf throughout the following decade. In 2016, he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the WGC-HSBC Champions, the latter of which made him the first Asian winner of a World Golf Championship. His success continued with a victory at the 2017 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he equaled a course record with a final round of 61. As of January 2025, his record includes 20 worldwide wins, including the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and an Olympic bronze medal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1992, Matsuyama, Japan
- Education: Tohoku Fukushi University
- Major victory: 2021 Masters Tournament
- Highest OWGR: 2nd (June 2017)
- PGA Tour wins: 11
- Japan Golf Tour wins: 8
- Presidents Cup appearances: 6
Questions readers ask
What is Hideki Matsuyama's highest career ranking?
He reached a career-high ranking of second in the Official World Golf Ranking in June 2017.
How many professional wins does he have?
As of January 2025, he has recorded 20 worldwide wins.
