Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Hideki Matsuyama

How Hideki Matsuyama built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Hideki Matsuyama is a celebrated Japanese professional golfer prominent on the PGA Tour. His historic victory at the 2021 Masters Tournament marked him as the first Japanese golfer to clinch a men's major championship, solidifying his place in golf history. He continues to compete at the highest level of professional golf.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2010: Wins 2010 Asian Amateur Championship

In 2010, Hideki Matsuyama won the Asian Amateur Championship with a score of 68-69-65-67=269, earning him a spot as an amateur in the 2011 Masters Tournament.

October 2011: Defends Asian Amateur Championship Title

In October 2011, Hideki Matsuyama successfully defended his title at the Asian Amateur Championship.

2011: Competes in 2011 Masters Tournament

In 2011, Hideki Matsuyama competed in the Masters Tournament as an amateur. Matsuyama was the leading amateur and won the Silver Cup. He also tied for third at the Japan Open Golf Championship.

2011: Matsuyama Wins Taiheiyo Masters as Amateur

In 2011, Hideki Matsuyama won the Taiheiyo Masters as a 19-year-old amateur, a feat he would repeat in November 2016.

August 2012: Reaches Number One in World Amateur Golf Ranking

In August 2012, Hideki Matsuyama achieved the number one ranking in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

2012: Ranked First in World Amateur Golf Ranking

In 2012, Hideki Matsuyama was ranked first in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

April 2013: Turns professional in April 2013

In April 2013, Hideki Matsuyama turned professional and won his second professional tournament at the Tsuruya Open on the Japan Golf Tour.

2013: Six Top-25 Finishes at PGA Tour Sanctioned Events

In 2013, Hideki Matsuyama had six top-25 finishes in PGA Tour-sanctioned events, including a T-6 at the Open Championship.

2014: Qualified for the PGA Tour

In 2014, Hideki Matsuyama qualified for the PGA Tour through non-member earnings.

2014: First PGA Tour Win at Memorial Tournament

In 2014, Hideki Matsuyama secured his first PGA Tour win at the Memorial Tournament, defeating Kevin Na in a playoff, and moved to a career-high OWGR ranking of 13th. In his first full season as a PGA tour member, he finished 28th in the FedEx Cup standings.

2014: Wins Dunlop Phoenix

Late in the 2014 season, Hideki Matsuyama won his sixth Japan Golf Tour event at the Dunlop Phoenix in a playoff over Hiroshi Iwata.

2015: Fifth at 2015 Masters Tournament

In 2015, Hideki Matsuyama finished fifth at the Masters Tournament, which was his best major finish at that point. He also played in the 2015 Presidents Cup, contributing to the International Team.

February 2016: Wins Waste Management Phoenix Open

On February 7, 2016, Hideki Matsuyama won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in a playoff with Rickie Fowler, securing his victory on the fourth hole. The win moved him to 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

October 2016: Captures Japan Open

On October 16, 2016, Hideki Matsuyama captured the Japan Open by three strokes over Yuta Ikeda and Lee Kyoung-hoon, marking his first title at his country's national open and his seventh victory in Japan.

October 2016: Wins WGC-HSBC Champions

On October 30, 2016, Hideki Matsuyama followed up his Japan Open win by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, becoming the first Asian golfer to claim a World Golf Championship since the series was inaugurated in 1999.

November 2016: Wins Second Taiheiyo Masters

On November 13, 2016, Hideki Matsuyama won his second Taiheiyo Masters, following his victory as an amateur in 2011. He secured a seven-shot win over South Korea's Song Young-han.

December 2016: Wins Hero World Challenge

On December 4, 2016, Hideki Matsuyama won the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

June 2017: Ranked Second in Official World Golf Ranking

In June 2017, Hideki Matsuyama reached his highest professional ranking of second in the Official World Golf Ranking.

2017: Shares 36-Hole Lead at PGA Championship

At the 2017 PGA Championship, Hideki Matsuyama shared the 36-hole lead with Kevin Kisner at Quail Hollow after opening rounds of 70–64.

2017: Defends Title at Waste Management Phoenix Open and Achieves Career High Ranking

In 2017, Hideki Matsuyama defended his title at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, winning in a playoff against Webb Simpson. After finishing second in the 2017 U.S. Open, he reached 2nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, his highest ever ranking for a male Japanese golfer.

2017: Breakthrough Year

The 2017 season was a breakthrough year for Hideki Matsuyama, with three Tour titles, including his first World Golf Championship, three second-place finishes in his first 15 events, and $5,945,990 in earnings. He also won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August, shooting a course record-tying 61 in the final round.

December 2019: Plays in 2019 Presidents Cup

In December 2019, Hideki Matsuyama played on the International team at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, where the U.S. team won. Matsuyama went 2–1–1 and halved his Sunday singles match against Tony Finau.

April 2021: Wins 2021 Masters Tournament

On April 11, 2021, Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters Tournament, becoming the first Japanese player and the first Asian-born player to win the tournament. He finished with a score of 278, one shot ahead of Will Zalatoris. His caddie, Shota Hayafuji, bowed to the 18th fairway as a gesture of Japanese respect.

October 2021: Wins Zozo Championship

In October 2021, Hideki Matsuyama won the Zozo Championship at Narashino Country Club by five strokes over Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele. The Zozo Championship is the only PGA Tour event held in Japan.

2021: Masters Tournament Win

In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese golfer to win a men's major golf championship at the Masters Tournament.

January 2022: Wins Sony Open in Hawaii

On January 16, 2022, Hideki Matsuyama won the Sony Open in Hawaii, making up a five-shot deficit and winning in a playoff with an eagle on the first extra hole. This marked his eighth win on the PGA Tour.

2022: Plays in 2022 Presidents Cup

In 2022, Hideki Matsuyama qualified for the International team at the Presidents Cup, winning one, tying one, and losing three of the five matches he played.

February 2024: Wins Genesis Invitational

On February 18, 2024, Hideki Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational, overcoming a six-stroke deficit in the final round to win his first PGA Tour event since the 2022 Sony Open in Hawaii. He posted the second-lowest round in course history.

2024: Wins Bronze Medal at Olympics and FedEx St. Jude Championship

In August 2024, Hideki Matsuyama won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games. Later that month, he won the FedEx St. Jude Championship, marking his 10th victory on the PGA Tour.

January 2025: Accomplishments as of January 2025

As of January 2025, Hideki Matsuyama had achieved 20 worldwide wins, an Olympic bronze medal, ten top-10 finishes in major championships, six Presidents Cup appearances, two World Golf Championships wins, two Waste Management Phoenix Open wins, eight Japan Golf Tour wins, two Asian Amateur Championship wins, and most recently won the FedEx St. Jude Championship. His 11 PGA Tour wins make him the most successful Japanese member of the PGA Tour.