Hideki Matsuyama begins the defence of his Masters title this week but revealed his regret of how he treated golf's most coveted fashion statement: "I just spent a year looking at it. I haven't really worn it that much, but I look at it a lot. And now I wish I would have worn it more." To keep his hands on the Green Jacket, the 30-year old faces the difficult task of back-to-back victories; something last done by Tiger Woods in '01/'02.
As well as not wearing it as often as he should have, Matsuyama expressed his fear of having it cleaned. The reigning champion said: "It needed to be cleaned, but I just was so worried that something might happen to it. So I didn't want to let it out of my sight." Although not wearing the Green Jacket might be considered a golfing faux pas, we can all relate to protecting it at all costs!
Matsuyama arrives at Augusta National with a neck injury that has been plaguing him since the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The eight-time PGA Tour winner revealed: "The last couple of weeks, have been a struggle. Hopefully I can find my game and be a worthy defending champion," he said. "I had a lot of treatment last week, though, at Valero Texas Open." The pain forced the 30-year old to withdraw in Texas and instead shift all focus to Augusta National.
"Monday and Tuesday, I was pain free, feeling really good. Then woke up Wednesday morning, and the neck was stiff again. But I've had, again, a lot of treatment the last couple of days."
Matsuyama had previously been battling back injuries which forced him out of the Players Championship and WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Whilst the prognosis appeared bleak last week, things seem to have improved: "I just came from the practice range and really felt good. It's probably the best I felt in a long time. So I'm looking forward to Thursday, and hopefully I'll be 100 percent by then."
Before he takes to the course, Matsuyama will serve up a delicious Japanese inspired menu at the Champions Dinner.
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