By Rahul Banerji
Hideki Matsuyama garnered praise and plaudits for his gritty win at Augusta National on Sunday, but it was his caddie who won the world with one elegant gesture.
Shota Hayafuji walked out to the 18th green to replace the pin, and then turned towards the course, took off his cap and dipped his head in a brief bow.
That simple act all but melted the Internet.
“Magical gesture,” was an early Tweet.”What an awesome Masters moment,” said another. “Á bow that will be long remembered,” went a third response.
A @caddie_world Tweet summed it up well, “In true Masters style.”
“Matsuyama’s caddie added a tiny moment that made a big impression in Matsuyama’s historic Masters victory on Sunday,” noted Huffpost.
“Suffice it to say, the emotional moment for Matsuyama was also an emotional one for Hayafuji,” added Golf Digest.
“Moments later, he picked up the flagstick and unscrewed the top to be able to take the 18th hole flag as a memento of the moment.
“Hayafuji then returned the flagstick to the hole, and offered one more touching salute to the history that had just been made.”
Praise from all corners
Meanwhile, officials and fellow competitors poured praise on Matsuyama, whose victory is tipped to spark a new wave of talent emerging from Japan and Asia, says pgatour.com.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said: “Our congratulations to Hideki Matsuyama on becoming the first Japanese-born player to win a major championship with his Masters Tournament victory.
“Already Japan’s leader in career PGA Tour wins, Hideki has carried on a rich legacy paved by Isao Aoki, Jumbo Ozaki, Shigeki Maruyama and others.
“His historic win will inspire so many in his home country and around the world and coincides perfectly with this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo where he will undoubtably be a central figure.”
There are already calls for Matsuyama to be given the honour of lighting the Olympic Games cauldron during the opening ceremony.
The often-reticent Matsuyama responded in typical fashion: “It would be quite an honour.
“But I’m not sure about my schedule. If the schedules worked out and I am in Japan when that happens and they ask me, what an honour that would be.”
Tiger‘s nod
A recuperating Tiger Woods tweeted: “Making Japan proud Hideki.
“Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical @TheMasters win will impact the entire golf world.”
Jack Nicklaus, 18-time Major winner, has followed Matsuyama’s career closely after his first PGA Tour victory at the Memorial in 2014, a tournament which he hosts.
“I’ve been blessed to spend a lot of time in Japan and I know they love the game of golf.
“They’re also very proud people and they’re even prouder today!
“I competed against the great Isao Aoki, and know how revered he was and is. Hideki will also now forever be a hero to his country.
“I was able to watch every shot & Hideki played beautifully. He kept cool & calm … the day and moment belongs to Hideki Matsuyama! This is a great day for him, for Japan, and for the global game of golf!”
Annika Sorenstam, a 72-time LPGA Tour winner and now president of the International Golf Federation, noted in her congratulatory tweet. “Congratulations to #HidekiMatsuyama, the first Asian born player to win @TheMasters.
“With the @NBCOlympics going to Japan later this year, their countryman’s win will be sure to inspire young golfers throughout Asia,” Sorenstam wrote on the social media platform.
More reactions
Greg Norman (Aus) on Twitter
Congratulations Hideki Matsuyama on a phenomenal @TheMasters win. A terrific achievement for you and for Japan.
Jordan Spieth (US)
I think it’s really good for the game of golf globally. He’s a great young player who inevitably was going to win major championships.
I know it’s his first win in quite a while, so I can also relate to that. I can only imagine, if he closes this out, how that’s going to feel.
Xander Schauffele (US)
No one really wants to talk about how much pressure is on him. You look at the media that follows him. You look at what he’s done in his career.
He’s a top ranked player with a ton of pressure on him, and that’s the hardest way to play. He’s able to do it, and he’s the first countryman to win the tournament, a major championship.
Everyone was hoping and thought he was going to win one a long time ago, and he kind of lost a little bit of form.
I know his team relatively well, and he kept working hard through all of it. So big kudos to him and his team. I’m sure a lot of people are having some beers over there.
C.T. Pan (Tpe) via Twitter
Congratulations to my @presidentscup teammate, Hideki Matsuyama, for winning
@themasters and 1st Japanese Major winner.
Charl Schwartzel (RSA)
It will be quite ironic because 10 years ago, when I won the green jacket, he was low amateur. So he was sitting next to me when I was at the presentation.
He’s just a great player. I’m sure he’s shown us all over the last 10 years that he’s been out here that, when he gets going, he’s a guy that feeds off confidence.
He sets high expectations. When he’s got confidence, (it’s) straight at every flag, and he seems to pull them off too. It would be huge for Asia.
Byeong Hun An (Kor) via Twitter
Seeing Hideki winning Masters is not only great for Japan, it is also great for Asian golf.
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