Winner of the 2021 Masters, an 11-time PGA Tour champion, and bronze medalist at Le Golf National, Hideki Matsuyama reveals his pause at the top of his swing and his secrets for approach shots.
Hideki Matsuyama is the most successful player in the history of Japanese golf: winner of the 2021 Masters, the first Japanese player to win a men’s major, with eleven PGA Tour victories and a bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Games at Le Golf National. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, and his video lessons, in which he explains his swing and short game himself.
Who is Hideki Matsuyama?
Hideki Matsuyama is a Japanese professional golfer, born on February 25, 1992, in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. While a student at Tohoku Fukushi University, he made a name for himself on the amateur circuit by winning the Asian Amateur Championship twice, in 2010 and 2011. This victory earned him a spot in the 2011 Masters Tournament, where he was the top amateur and the only amateur to make the cut. That same year, he won the Taiheiyo Masters on the Japanese Tour as an amateur.
He turned pro in April 2013, won four tournaments in Japan in his very first season, and finished at the top of the money list. His first victory on the PGA Tour came in 2014 at the Memorial Tournament, in a playoff. This was followed by two WM Phoenix Open titles (2016, 2017), two World Golf Championships titles (2016 HSBC Champions, 2017 Bridgestone Invitational), and, in June 2017, a world No. 2 ranking—the highest ever achieved by a Japanese player.
On April 11, 2021, he made history by winning the Masters at Augusta, one stroke ahead of Will Zalatoris: it was the first victory by a Japanese player in a men’s major. He went on to win the 2021 Zozo Championship, the 2022 Sony Open, the Genesis Invitational, and the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, followed by The Sentry in January 2025, which he won with a record-breaking total of 35 under par. In the meantime, he won the Olympic bronze medal in August 2024 at Le Golf National, near Paris.
He also has two victories at the Hero World Challenge (2016, 2025) and seven Presidents Cup appearances with the International Team, from 2013 to 2026. In 2026, he finished second at the WM Phoenix Open after a playoff.
Hideki Matsuyama's Career Highlights
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournament | 2021 Masters: First Japanese Player to Win a Men's Major |
| PGA Tour Victories | 11, including the 2014 Memorial, two WM Phoenix Opens (2016, 2017), the 2024 Genesis Invitational, the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, and The Sentry in 2025 |
| World Golf Championships | 2: 2016 HSBC Champions, 2017 Bridgestone Invitational |
| PGA Tour Record | 35 under par at The Sentry 2025 |
| Olympic Games | Bronze Medal at Paris 2024 (Golf National) |
| Victories on the Japanese circuit | 8, including the 2016 Japan Open |
| Highest world ranking | 2nd (June 2017) |
| Presidents Cup | 7 selections (2013–2026) |
| Amateur Titles | 2010 and 2011 Asian Amateur Championship, Best Amateur at the 2011 Masters |
Hideki Matsuyama's Game
Hideki Matsuyama's swing and his famous pause at the top
Hideki Matsuyama’s swing is instantly recognizable: a slow takeaway, followed by a brief pause at the top of the backswing before beginning the downswing. In the series of lessons filmed with ALBA TV, he explains why he used to pause at the top and how that movement has evolved. He also demonstrates the first exercise he does on the driving range—one-handed approach shots—which he considers the key to his ideal swing.
Hideki Matsuyama's approach shots: the touch of one of the world's best
Around the greens, Matsuyama is one of the most well-rounded players on the tour. He explains how he controls his distances with his 56° wedge, how he’s adjusted his approach shots to a draw trajectory to adapt to American greens, and how he chooses between the 56° and 60° wedges depending on the lie. He also demonstrates his bunker shots, adjusting his swing to the quality of the sand.
Hideki Matsuyama's driver
Known for the quality of his irons, Matsuyama also knows how to generate distance. He demonstrates how he widens his stance to hit a full-speed drive, and how he has adapted his tee shot to the PGA Tour’s iconic holes.
Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Hideki Matsuyama's lessons, in Japanese, will soon be compiled and summarized on this page. In the meantime, here are the topics he covers: Backswing, Swing and Swing Plane, Pitch Shots, Wedge play: Pitching and Chipping, Bunker shot and Speed, Power, and Distance.
To learn more, check out the fact sheets on Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood, who shared the Olympic podium with him at Paris 2024, as well as that of’Adam Scott, his Presidents Cup teammate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hideki Matsuyama: Career Highlights, the 2021 Masters, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is Hideki Matsuyama?
Hideki Matsuyama was born on February 25, 1992, in Matsuyama, Japan; he is 34 years old.
When did Hideki Matsuyama win the Masters?
He won the Masters on April 11, 2021, one stroke ahead of Will Zalatoris. This marks the first victory by a Japanese player in a men's major tournament.
How many PGA Tour victories does Hideki Matsuyama have?
Eleven victories, from the 2014 Memorial to The Sentry in 2025. He is the most successful Japanese player in PGA Tour history.
Does Hideki Matsuyama have an Olympic medal?
Yes, the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic tournament, held at Le Golf National, behind Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood.
Why does Hideki Matsuyama pause at the top of his swing?
In his series of lessons with ALBA TV, he explains himself the origin of this pause at the top of the backswing and how his swing has evolved since then.
What is Hideki Matsuyama's record on the PGA Tour?
He won The Sentry in January 2025 with a score of 35 under par, a PGA Tour record for a 72-hole tournament.
What was Hideki Matsuyama's highest world ranking?
No. 2 in the world, achieved on June 18, 2017: the highest ranking ever achieved by a Japanese golfer.
