Hideki Matsyuyami lapped the field at Sheshan International Golf Club over the final 36 holes to take home the WGC-HSBC Champions trophy. The 24 year-old Japanese golf star also scored 550 FedEx Cup points and a cool $1.62M in cash.
With his 3rd Tour victory, Matsuyami is now a safe bet to move up in the world rankings, where he is currently No. 10. Coupled with his second place finish at the CIMB Classic, it also moves him into the top spot in the FedEx Cup race, leaping over Justin Thomas.
After his round Matsuyami sat down with the press, who seemed less interested in his performance and game, and more fixated on his Asian race/ethnicity (naturally!).
And so he was asked about all the important things such as what it’s like be the first Asian to win a WGC; what it’s like to be the second Japanese player to win 3 times, and if he enjoyed playing with the Chinese (because they’re Asians too, I guess).
First Asian
PRESS: What does it mean to be the first Asian winner of a World Golf Championships?
No player from Asia had won a WGC …
Until now. #PGAツアー pic.twitter.com/fazUUP1VIJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 30, 2016
MATSUYAMA: You know, I knew Y.E. Yang won the PGA Championship, and actually, I was surprised when they announced that I was the first Asian to win a WGC event.
Second Japanese
PRESS: Now it was said that you have tied the most-win records on PGA TOUR for Japanese players, but compared with the previous generation of Japanese golfers, it was so tough for them to win a PGA TOUR event. But now, at such a young age, you have already tied the record. Can you compare what’s the difference between your generation now and the previous generation of Japanese golfers?
MATSUYAMA: That’s a tough question to answer. But Shigeki Maruyama is a good friend of mine, and he always said that I was going to pass his records. But at least I’ve tied him now. That was a great honor, because I have great respect for him.
Six Chinese
PRESS: There are six Chinese golfers participating in this year’s WGC-HSBC Champions. Do you have any special moments with them?
MATSUYAMA: There were six Chinese players that played this week? I’m sorry, I don’t know all of them. However, I do know some of the pros from China who have played in some of the majors, especially in the Masters. They are tremendous players. Chinese golf has a bright future. It won’t be very long until there is going to be a Chinese player that will compete for a major title.
