Hideki Matsuyama held on to his incredible lead at Augusta National to win the Masters on Sunday afternoon, marking a historic moment for the Japanese star.
Matsuyama started the round with a massive four stroke lead, and then survived Sunday to put on the iconic green jacket — which made him the first Japanese man to ever win a major championship.
Japan’s first Masters champion. #themasters
日本人として初のマスターズチャンピオン pic.twitter.com/r9LmakPTbx
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2021
Tiger Woods and others in the golf world were right there to cheer him on.
Making Japan proud Hideki. Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical @TheMasters win will impact the entire golf world.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 11, 2021
Woods missed the Masters this year while recovering at his home in Florida after his serious car crash in Southern California in February, which left him with serious leg injuries and nearly cost him his life.
His presence was still felt at Augusta at times, however, including leading up to the annual Champions Dinner.
I’ll miss running up @DJohnsonPGA’s bill at the Champions Dinner tonight. It’s still one of my favorite nights of the year.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 6, 2021
"We texted Friday morning, and he said it's kind of starting to set in," Justin Thomas said before the tournament. "He's bummed he's not here playing practice rounds with us, and we hate it, too."
Others rush to congratulate Matsuyama
Woods was far from alone in congratulating Matsuyama on Sunday afternoon.
Congratulations Hideki Matsuyama on a phenomenal @TheMasters win. A terrific achievement for you and for Japan ??. @SiriusXMPGATOURpic.twitter.com/cjPYGfqmfm
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) April 11, 2021
HIDEKI SAN!!!! What an amazing accomplishment for you, for Japan and for the game of golf. ❤️
— Christina Kim (@TheChristinaKim) April 11, 2021
Congratulations Hideki on becoming @themasters champion. This is another big day for golf in Japan. Exciting times ❤️??♂️
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) April 11, 2021
Always a pleasure and a privilege to play in @themasters. Huge Congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama on winning his first green jacket. Great playing bud! #BetterNeverStopspic.twitter.com/fQH94VH4bE
— Patrick Reed (@PReedGolf) April 12, 2021
Nice way to finish on the last! Pleased with the way my game is trending.
Congratulations Hideki on a fantastic @TheMasters win. A remarkable achievement for you and your country. Enjoy the celebrations ??
Thank you #Team? for all the messages of support. #themasterspic.twitter.com/UzQf5BZmPR
— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 12, 2021
Congrats to Hideki on his historic win @TheMasters! Great to see a fellow @Lexus ambassador wear the green jacket! I served sushi in 1999 at my dinner – no pressure Hideki next year at the Champions Dinner! #FirstJapaneseMajorWinner#LexusGolfpic.twitter.com/CvraVTECbM
— Mark O'Meara (@OmearaGolf) April 11, 2021
Good for Hideki. I get nervous playing for my family. This dude just won The Masters for his entire country. Mega respect!!!
— max homa (@maxhoma23) April 11, 2021
Kevin Na ran back to Augusta
With others congratulating Matsuyama on social media, Kevin Na made sure he was there to do so in person.
Na — who finished in a tie for 12th at 2-under par on the week — actually turned his car around on his way to the airport in Georgia to ensure he could see Matsuyama’s win with his own eyes.
Kevin Na turned his car around on his way to the airport, making sure he was at Augusta National to congratulate Hideki. pic.twitter.com/q6V4W7WyGt
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 12, 2021
“I wanted to be there for Hideki,” Na said on the Golf Channel. “I’m good friends with him. It’s good for sports. It’s good for Asia … To see Hideki be the first Asian born player to win the Masters is great. It’s something that I’ve always told him he’s going to do, he’s going to win a major someday, even when he beat me at the Memorial.
“But It’s good for golf. I think there’s many of the Asian players out here [who] are going to win more … There’s plenty of us out here that can do it, and to see a fellow Asian do it, it means a lot.”
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