Hideki Matsuyama What's In The Bag

Article Updated in January 2025

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama got the year off to a record-breaking start, winning the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions with a 72-hole total of 35 under under par. 

To put that into some kind of perspective, it means that he very nearly birdied every other hole he played in Hawai.

The 2021 Masters champion carded a final round 65 to make history on the Plantation Course in Kapalua. He beat the previous record of 34 under, set by Cameron Smith at the same course in 2022.

Matsuyama's eight-under-par final round included an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey, with the 32-year-old sinking a birdie on the 18th to break Smith's record.

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He said: "That last putt, it felt like if I make it, it's going to be the record, so I'm so happy that it went in. I was able to get a great off-season and get a fresh start this week and play well so it's a great way to start."

American Collin Morikawa, who started the final round one shot behind Matsuyama, claimed second place on 32 under following a final round 67.

"He [Matsuyama] just never let up," Morikawa said. "I just knew I had to be on top of everything, and just kind of let a few slip on that front nine. Just going through the shots I left out there, there was a good handful that I wish I could have back. I know there is a lot of positives, and it's going to take me a few hours or a day to get over it."

England's Harry Hall finished on 23 under, while compatriot Aaron Rai was two shots further back along with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre.

Player Profile

Matsuyama was born on 25 February 1992 in Ehime, Japan. He was introduced to golf at the age of four, by his father. 

He won the 2010 Asian Amateur, which allowed him to compete at the 2011 Masters, the first Japanese amateur to do so. He was the leading amateur and won the Silver Cup. The following week he finished in a tie for third at the Japan Open.

Matsuyama won the gold medal at the 2011 World University Games. He also led the Japan team to the gold medal in the team event. In October 2011, he also successfully defended his title at the Asian Amateur Championship. In November, Matsuyama won the Talheiyo Masters while still an amateur. In August 2012, he topped the world amateur golf rankings.

Matsuyama turned professional 2013 and won his second professional tournament, the Tsuruya Open. Five weeks later, Matsuyama won his third title, the Diamond Cup. After a top-10 finish at the US Open he entered the top 50 in the world rankings for the first time. He also won the Casio World Open and claimed the Japan Tour money list.

In 2014, Matsuyama qualified for the PGA Tour and in just seven events had six top-25 finishes, including tied sixth at The Open.

His first PGA Tour success came at the 2014 Memorial Tournament, climbing to 13th in the world rankings. In his first full season as a PGA tour member, he finished 28th in the FedEx Cup standings.

In 2016 he won the Phoenix Open, beating Rickie Fowler in a playoff, and he retained the title the following year.

On 11 April 2021, Matsuyama won The Masters, becoming both the first Japanese player and the first Asian-born player to win the tournament. He finished with an overall score of 278 (-10), one shot ahead of runner-up Will Zalatoris.

He won the Sony Open in 2022, which was his last victory until he claimed the Genesis in 2024. He had fallen to 55th in the world. It was his 250th start. He then won the FedEx St Jude in August. His victory at the Tournament of Champions is his 11th on the PGA Tour. He has made 265 starts on the PGA Tour. Apart from his 11 wins, he has had seven runner-ups, nine thirds and 42 top fives, with career earnings in excess of $59m. He tops the FedEx Cup standings and has moved to sixth in the world rankings.

He averages 302 yards from the tee, finds 75% of fairways and hits 87.50% of greens in regulation. He averages 26.75 putts per round and at this early stage in the season has an incredible scoring average of 64.25 and makes a mind-boggling 8.25 birdies per round.

Last 10 Events

The Sentry - 1st

Dunlop Phoenix Tournament - T2nd

Zozo Championship - T46th

Genesis Scottish Open - CUT

Tour Championship (72-Hole Scores) - T16th

BMW Championship - WD

FedEx St Jude Championship - T1st

Olympic Men's Golf Competition - T3rd

The 152nd Open - T66th

Genesis Scottish Open - CUT

Hideki Matsuyama WITB

Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 Degrees)

3-Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 Degrees)

5-Wood: Cobra King RadSpeed Tour (17.5 Degrees)

Irons: Srixon Z-Forged II (4-9)

Wedges: Cleveland RTX 4 Forged Prototype (48, 52, 56, 60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M Center Shaft Tour Prototype

Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV