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Picks and Tips: Looking Ahead to Kiawah Island
Picks and Tips: Looking Ahead to Kiawah Island

The next major is less than 40 days away. Read which player could continue to trend in the right direction leading up to the PGA Championship. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

'Making Japan proud': Tiger Woods congratulates Hideki Matsuyama for historic Masters win

Tiger Woods took to Twitter to congratulate Hideki Matsuyama for his history-making Masters win at Augusta National.

Masters champion Matsuyama open to lighting Tokyo Olympic cauldron
Masters champion Matsuyama open to lighting Tokyo Olympic cauldron

Hideki Matsuyama cut a solitary figure as he walked alone to the clubhouse to sign his card after winning the Masters on Sunday, even if all of Japan was with him in spirit. After exchanging hugs beside the 18th green with his small entourage, a stoic Matsuyama was left to himself to sign his scorecard and prepare for a new life that will never be the same after becoming the first Masters champion from Asia. Even before the winning putt dropped the notion was already being raised, by three-times Masters champion Nick Faldo, that Matsuyama could be chosen to light the cauldron at the Olympics opening ceremony in the Japan National Stadium on July 23.

Day after winning Masters, Hideki Matsuyama not letting go of green jacket
Day after winning Masters, Hideki Matsuyama not letting go of green jacket

Hideki Matsuyama had his green jacket in hand as he walked through the Atlanta airport on Monday morning.

Australia hope to lure Masters champion Matsuyama Down Under
Australia hope to lure Masters champion Matsuyama Down Under

Australia hopes to lure Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama to its national PGA Championship in Queensland in December as part of plans to revive its golfing calendar after the 2020/21 season was impacted by COVID-19. Japan's Matsuyama became the first player from an Asian nation to win the Masters on Sunday after holding on for a one-stroke win at Augusta National. Securing Matsuyama would be a major coup for Australia's low-profile golf tour, four years after 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia was enticed to the Australian PGA Championship.

Japan hails
Japan hails 'bright news' of Matsuyama's Masters win

Japan sucked in its breath as Hideki Matsuyama almost blew his chance to win the Masters but the golfer's one-shot victory at Augusta National sparked a joyous reaction back home as the country celebrated another sporting triumph in testing times. Matsuyama, 29, became the first man from Japan to win one of golf's major titles, a feat that drew praise from government and Olympics officials with the Tokyo Games just three months away. Katsunobu Kato, Japan's top government spokesman, expressed "congratulations and respect from the heart" for Matsuyama's "historic" win, which came as another ray of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tears, cheers and shares rise as Matsuyama victory thrills Japan
Tears, cheers and shares rise as Matsuyama victory thrills Japan

Thrilled Japanese golf fans welcomed Hideki Matsuyama's historic Masters victory on Monday, with broadcasters close to tears and the prime minister hailing the win as a bright spot during the pandemic.

Warriors
Warriors' Steph Curry reacts to Hideki Matsuyama's major win at the Masters

After Hideki Matsuyama sealed his first green jacket with a win at the Masters in Augusta, Steph Curry chimed in on Twitter with a message.

Tears and cheers as Matsuyama victory thrills Japan
Tears and cheers as Matsuyama victory thrills Japan

Thrilled Japanese fans welcomed Hideki Matsuyama's historic Masters victory on Monday, with broadcasters close to tears and the country's prime minister hailing the win as a bright spot during the pandemic.

'Perfect shot' goes wrong for Schauffele as Masters challenge fades

Xander Schauffele was "coming in hot" with four straight birdies when a triple-bogey six at the 16th stopped his challenge of Hideki Matsuyama at the Masters stone cold.

Green Jacket-ed Matsuyama would relish Olympic flame role
Green Jacket-ed Matsuyama would relish Olympic flame role

Hideki Matsuyama looks forward to the reaction in Japan when he brings home the Masters champion green jacket and he would enjoy the idea of lighting the Tokyo Olympic cauldron.

Schauffele laments
Schauffele laments 'perfect' shot that ended Masters chance

Two years after finishing one stroke behind champion Tiger Woods at the Masters, Xander Schauffele endured more disappointment when what he thought was a "perfect" shot finished in the water and cost him a chance of winning on Sunday. What had seemed to be an emphatic Hideki Matsuyama coronation only an hour earlier suddenly became interesting when Schauffele ran off four straight birdies to cut a seven-shot deficit to just two strokes with three holes left at Augusta National. The pressure was very much on Matsuyama as Schauffele teed it up at the par-three 16th with a chance to stick his ball close to the hole and ratchet the heat up yet another notch.

No Green Jacket but Rahm still has reason to smile
No Green Jacket but Rahm still has reason to smile

Jon Rahm had double reason to smile on Sunday carding a final round six-under 66 to claim a top five Masters finish and a picture of his new born son. It may not have been the Green Jacket waiting for Rahm as he walked off the 18th green but a 66 or 96 it did not matter said the world number three, who was still basking in the glow of his new born son last weekend. "I finish the round and I get a picture from (his wife) Kelley, and no matter what I do, if I shoot 80 or 65, it's the same feeling," said Rahm, the fiery Spaniard exuding a new calm.

'I never gave up:' Xander Schauffele can hold his head high after another close call at the Masters

Xander Schauffele never gave up and can hold his head high after another close call at the Masters.

Masters: 5 Things We Learned in the final round
Masters: 5 Things We Learned in the final round

Hideki Matsuyama became the ninth different golfer to win the Masters in as many years.

'Making Japan proud': Tiger Woods congratulates Hideki Matsuyama for history-making Masters win

Tiger Woods congratulated Hideki Matsuyama on Twitter for his history-making win in the Masters on Sunday.

Zalatoris
Zalatoris' Masters debut ends with him a shot back

Maybe the first hint that Will Zalatoris had what it took came when he was 6, and Ken Venturi went over to him on a driving range to show him a grip that he hasn't changed since. Or maybe it was at 11, when a pro named David Price said he could be great if he put in the work. Or maybe it was Sunday, when the 24-year-old finished alone in second at the Masters.

Matsuyama
Matsuyama's Masters Win May Unlock $600 Million in Endorsements

Hideki Matsuyama came to Augusta National a decade ago as the first Japanese amateur to ever play the Masters. He has carried the burden of a golf-crazed nation ever since, while he tallied five PGA Tour wins and four top-five finishes at majors. The 29-year-old made history Sunday as the first Japanese player to ever […]

Hideki Matsuyama hangs on to win Masters by 1 shot to finish 10 under, make history
Hideki Matsuyama hangs on to win Masters by 1 shot to finish 10 under, make history

After opening his Masters final round with a bogey, Hideki Matsuyama birdied three of his next eight holes, then survived a nervous finish.

Cameron Smith believes he will win the Masters one day. Figuring out No. 15 will help
Cameron Smith believes he will win the Masters one day. Figuring out No. 15 will help

If Cameron Smith had played the par-5 15th hole a bit better this week, he might have been in contention in the final round of the Masters.

Hideki Matsuyama makes history, becoming first Japanese player to win Masters
Hideki Matsuyama makes history, becoming first Japanese player to win Masters

Hideki Matsuyama becomes the first Japanese man to win one of golf's majors, finishing at 10-under to take the 2021 Masters tournament title.

Winner
Winner's Bag: Hideki Matsuyama, Masters

A complete list of the golf equipment Hideki Matsuyama used to win the 2021 Masters Tournament.

Justin Rose fades away but leaves his mark on Augusta thanks to 11 magical holes
Justin Rose fades away but leaves his mark on Augusta thanks to 11 magical holes

He battled to the final hole but the truth is, in the end, it felt like too much of a battle. After that sensational opening round of 65, when he went nine-under for his last 11 holes, the final three rounds of the 2021 Masters were a grind for Justin Rose. The 2013 US Open champion did valiantly to hang in there for as long as he did. Some of his saves on the back nine on Saturday, in particular, were spectacular. But with Hideki Matsuyama relentless in his quest to become the first Japanese man to win a major, and Will Zalatoris and Xander Schauffele also pulling clear, grinding out pars was never going to cut it. Ultimately, Rose could not manage even that. His final round of 74 for...

John Daly talks voter ID laws, predicts Tiger Woods comeback
John Daly talks voter ID laws, predicts Tiger Woods comeback

Golf legend John Daly joins 'Justice with Judge Jeanine.'

After late arrival to Augusta, Jon Rahm wraps Masters with 6-under 66
After late arrival to Augusta, Jon Rahm wraps Masters with 6-under 66

Jon Rahm started his final round at the Masters more than two hours and 11 strokes behind front-runner Hideki Matsuyama.

Hideki Matsuyama becomes first male Japanese player to win a major at the Masters
Hideki Matsuyama becomes first male Japanese player to win a major at the Masters

Hideki Matsuyama became the first male player from Japan to win a major championship, claiming the Masters Tournament on Sunday.

Golf: Fine weather greets early starters on Masters Sunday
Golf: Fine weather greets early starters on Masters Sunday

The final round of the Masters started in fine weather on Sunday with only an outside chance of play being interrupted by afternoon storms at Augusta National. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama has a four-shot lead, 18 holes away perhaps from becoming the first player not only from his nation, but from all of Asia to claim a Green Jacket. Three-times champion Gary Player was the only international winner until Spaniard Seve Ballesteros broke through in 1980, setting the stage for a period of European dominance.

What pressure? Hideki Matsuyama played video games during weather delay at the Masters
What pressure? Hideki Matsuyama played video games during weather delay at the Masters

Hideki Matsuyama was 5-under par and two off the lead Saturday when the third round of the Masters was interrupted by a weather delay.

Masters: Mesmerizing Robert MacIntyre throws caution to the wind
Masters: Mesmerizing Robert MacIntyre throws caution to the wind

For Masters debutant, Robert MacIntyre, the chance to savor every little thing about Augusta has been gobbled up with considerable relish.

Japan
Japan's Matsuyama chases historic Masters triumph

Hideki Matsuyama, trying to become the first Japanese man to win a major golf title, held a four-stroke lead as Sunday's dramatic final round of the 85th Masters began.

Masters 2021 final round: live score and latest updates from Augusta
Masters 2021 final round: live score and latest updates from Augusta

Final round tee times in full Rory McIlroy's barren run becoming 'harder to arrest' The Jordan Spieth swagger of old is back - he now must keep his mind on the present

Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? Here are your options.
Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? Here are your options.

Here are a few ways you can pull off the seemingly impossible (but it certainly won't be easy).

The Masters: Tee times, TV and streaming info for final round of the first PGA Tour major of 2021
The Masters: Tee times, TV and streaming info for final round of the first PGA Tour major of 2021

All the information you need to get ready for the final round of the 85th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

No wire-to-wire win: Rose
No wire-to-wire win: Rose's Masters hopes hang by thread

Justin Rose had been looking for a wire-to-wire victory at the Masters. Now his chances to win are hanging by a thread.

Opinion: Hideki Matsuyama plays video games during delay on way to 4-shot Masters lead
Opinion: Hideki Matsuyama plays video games during delay on way to 4-shot Masters lead

Hideki Matsuyama got to 11-under par at the Masters, four better than a quartet of golfers at 7-under, including second-round leader Justin Rose.

Matsuyama on the brink of historic Masters victory
Matsuyama on the brink of historic Masters victory

With a new coach solving swing issues and reduced celebrity media stress this week, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama finds himself on the verge of a historic victory at the Masters.

Masters: Five things to watch during Sunday
Masters: Five things to watch during Sunday's final round

Plenty of good and bad things can happen in the final 18 holes at Augusta National.

Hideki Matsuyama pours it on after rain delay, shoots 65 to lead Masters
Hideki Matsuyama pours it on after rain delay, shoots 65 to lead Masters

Hideki Matsuyama shot a seven-under 65 in the third round of the Masters and leads by four over four players, including Justin Rose, going into Sunday.

Hideki Matsuyama surges into Masters lead with back-nine barrage at Augusta National
Hideki Matsuyama surges into Masters lead with back-nine barrage at Augusta National

There is one Japanese player in the 85th Masters Tournament - and he's pulling away from the elite field.

Masters: Jordan Spieth capable of delivering magical round to win second green jacket
Masters: Jordan Spieth capable of delivering magical round to win second green jacket

History isn't on Jordan Spieth's side in his quest for a second green jacket on Sunday...but he's Jordan Spieth.

Triple-bogey trips up doubting Thomas at Masters
Triple-bogey trips up doubting Thomas at Masters

World number two Justin Thomas was the pick of some as the man to beat halfway through the Masters, and a strong start to the third round on Saturday seemed to justify those who favored him. Thomas's round came apart spectacularly with a triple-bogey at the par-five 13th, a gruesome butchering that all but ended his chances at Augusta National. He botched his third shot into the Rae's Creek tributary, and compounded his misery by three-putting, one of several players to misjudge the speed on that green after rain had slowed it.

A masterpiece from Hideki Matsuyama to take Masters lead
A masterpiece from Hideki Matsuyama to take Masters lead

The storms that stopped play for a little more than hour Saturday at the Masters were expected. The masterpiece delivered by Hideki Matsuyama after the break was not. Matsuyama played the final eight holes in 6-under par, turning a two-shot deficit into a four-shot lead.

Eighty-seven years later, another Canadian ace at Masters
Eighty-seven years later, another Canadian ace at Masters

Eighty-seven years after a Canadian recorded a hole-in-one in the very first Masters, Corey Conners matched the feat during the third round at Augusta National on Saturday. The effort, the sixth ever ace at the sixth hole in the Masters, helped set up Conners for a possible chance of becoming the second player from north of the border to clinch a Green Jacket, after Mike Weir in 2003. Weir was in the gallery on Saturday proudly wearing his jacket after missing the cut the previous day.

Five things to know about Will Zalatoris, the 24-year-old in contention at the Masters
Five things to know about Will Zalatoris, the 24-year-old in contention at the Masters

Will Zalatoris is making plenty of Masters headlines for a first-timer. But who is he?

Horschel has embarrassing fall, failing to master balance
Horschel has embarrassing fall, failing to master balance

Walking around with stained white trousers and wet feet on Augusta's pristine course made Billy Horschel stand out for all the wrong reasons on Saturday but at least the American saw the funny side after he ended up on his backside at the 13th hole. After his second shot at the par-five 13th ended submerged in the Rae's Creek tributary in front of the green in the third round of the Masters, Horschel decided to remove his shoes and socks in an attempt to hit the ball out of the water. But as he descended the grassy embankment in his white pants, Horschel slipped on the immaculate grass.

Watch: Hideki Matsuyama highlights from second-nine 30 on Saturday
Watch: Hideki Matsuyama highlights from second-nine 30 on Saturday

Hideki Matsuyama returned from the weather suspension and torched a softer Augusta National. Here's how he did it.

Canada
Canada's Conners aces par-3 sixth in Masters charge

Canadian Corey Conners aced the 180-yard par-3 sixth hole at Augusta National in Saturday's third round of the 85th Masters, the second hole-in-one of the tournament.

Protest near Masters pushes back against Georgia voting law
Protest near Masters pushes back against Georgia voting law

About two dozen protesters turned out near Augusta National on Saturday, objecting to Georgia's new voting law during the third round of the Masters. The group held signs that said "Let Us Vote" and "Protect Georgia Voting Rights," drawing both jeers and cheers from motorists on busy Washington Road. One man passing by shouted an insult against Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who signed new voter restrictions into law last month.

Golf-Thunderstorms could affect third round at Masters
Golf-Thunderstorms could affect third round at Masters

The third round at the Masters started under a blanket of clouds on Saturday, with thunderstorms forecast as likely to arrive late in the afternoon while the leaders are on the back nine. Not a drop of rain has fallen all week at Augusta National, allowing officials to get the course into the preferred firm condition for the most exacting test. Halfway leader Justin Rose, at seven-under-par 137, tees off at 2.20 p.m. local time (1820) with rookie Will Zalatoris.

Watch: Billy Horschel slips on the bank of Rae
Watch: Billy Horschel slips on the bank of Rae's Creek before par save at No. 13

Billy Horschel's par save at No. 13 was impressive on Saturday, minus his slip on the bank of Rae's Creek.

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