CNN —
Hideki Matsuyama put together two brilliant closing rounds at the Augusta National to win the 2021 Masters.
The Japanese golfer finished ahead of Will Zalatoris in second to claim his first major. He shot a final round 73 to finish with a score of 10 under par, one shot ahead of the American runner-up.
The 29-year-old was bunched amongst his competitors before an hour-long weather delay on Saturday before he catapulted himself into the lead in the third round with some scintillating golf.
In the all important fourth round on Sunday, Matsuyama held off early tests from Zalatoris and a late push from Xander Schauffele, in which both players found the water, before guiding himself to victory.
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In winning the famous golf tournament, Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a golf major and ended an almost four-year winless drought.
As is tradition, last year’s winner Dustin Johnson – who failed to make the cut this year after suffering his own struggles – presented Matsuyama with his Green Jacket which etched him into Masters and golfing folklore.
Hideki Matsuyama celebrates with the green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 11. He finished one shot ahead of Will Zalatoris.
Matsuyama celebrates with his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green Sunday.
Matsuyama lines up a putt on the 18th green Sunday.
Xander Schauffele bites his club on the 16th hole Sunday. He hit the ball in the water there, effectively ending his hopes of winning the tournament.
Kevin Na plays a shot from a bunker on Sunday.
Matsuyama plays a shot from a bunker.
Schauffele hits a tee shot on Sunday.
An attendant adjusts scores from behind a leaderboard on Saturday.
Matsuyama finished with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round.
Spectators walk to cover on Saturday after play was temporarily suspended because of inclement weather.
Matt Jones reacts on the 13th hole as a warning horn was sounded to suspend play on Saturday.
Justin Thomas hits a tee shot on Saturday.
Justin Rose eyes a par putt on the first hole Friday. Rose held a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.
People spread out from one another as they watch Tommy Fleetwood putt on the 16th green on Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau, last year's US Open champion, plays a shot on the 13th hole Friday.
Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, watches the action along with fellow Augusta National member Heidi Ueberroth on Friday.
Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth walks past the azaleas on the sixth fairway Friday.
Lee Elder acknowledges applause as he joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters on Thursday. In 1975, Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters.
Dustin Johnson, last year's Masters champion, plays a shot on the second hole on Thursday.
Rose hits out of a bunker on the second hole on Thursday. He shot a 7-under 65 to take a four-shot lead after the first round.
This was the first time in two years that the Masters had allowed spectators on the course.
Spieth hits a tee shot on Thursday.
Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka had knee surgery less than a month ago, but he was on the course for the first round.
Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the sixth hole Thursday.
Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson hits out of a bunker on the first hole Thursday.
Fans watch some of the first-round play.
Max Homa walks down the 18th fairway on Thursday.
Joaquin Niemann looks for his ball on the 10th hole Thursday.
During a practice round on Wednesday, Ian Poulter takes a Hogan Bridge selfie with his playing partners and their caddies.
McIlroy and Thomas walk across the Sarazen Bridge during a practice round on Tuesday.
Azaleas frame the 16th green on Monday.
Masters 2021: The best pictures from Augusta
Sitting alongside Johnson and his translator in Butler Cabin, where champions receive their Green Jackets, Matsuyama expressed his happiness that he could blaze a trail for other future Japanese golfers.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “My nerves really didn’t start on the second nine. It was right from the start today and right to the very last putt. I was thinking about (my family) all the way round today and I’m really happy I played well for them. Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many other Japanese people will follow. I’m glad to be able to open the flood gates hopefully and many more will follow me.”
The path to victory
Justin Rose’s brilliant opening round stole the headlines on Thursday – but Matsuyama was just a few shots behind.
Friday was a tough day with the winds swirling and the greens fast, but on Saturday, the Japanese golfer put his pedal to the metal.
With Rose stuttering, inclement weather forced play to be stopped for about an hour, after which Matsuyama hit his straps.
In the final eight holes, he hit four birdies, an eagle and no bogeys to storm into a four-shot lead with just 18 holes remaining.
Schauffele bites his club after taking his second tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Masters.
Zalatoris, the youngster who impressed in his debut Masters, briefly reduced the deficit to one shot before Matsuyama found his groove from Saturday, birdying the eighth and ninth to extend his lead.
Although his lead was at one point six, some battling golf from American Schauffele reduced the gap to just four. And the lead further reduced after a dramatic 15th hole where Matsuyama’s second shot found the water.
His bogey and Schauffele’s birdie reduced the gap between the top two to just two shots with three holes remaining.
But with the pressure riding on his shoulders, Schauffele found the water on the par-three 16th, eventually finishing with a triple-bogey, effectively ending his hopes of a maiden major victory.
And in the final two holes, Matsuyama showed poise and composure – besides a rogue iron shot into a bunker on the 18th that had nerves jangling – that belied his major experience to hold off the challenge and make history.
Matsuyama celebrates with his caddie on the 18th green after winning The Masters.
For 24-year-old debutant Zalatoris, it was almost the dream four days, coming within a shot of history. He was attempting to become the first player since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to win in his Masters debut.
“I have no idea how I’m feeling, I am speechless,” he said in his post-round press conference. “To come one shot short is motivating but for it to come at the Masters where I have been coming since I was nine years old is exciting. I will come back next year and hopefully go one better.”
Matsuyama’s previous best was at the US Open in 2017
Matsuyama, who was No. 25 in golf’s world rankings, wasn’t one of the typical names being suggested as a potential Masters winner. After all, he hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since August of 2017.
His previous best at a major came at the US Open in 2017, when he tied second behind Brooks Koepka.
While Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win a golf major, two of his female counterparts have already recorded that achievement.
Hinako Shibuno won the Women’s British Open in 2019 while Chako Higuchi won at the 1977 LPGA Championship.
Matsuyama’s victory on Sunday completes an extremely successful few weeks for Japan and its golf players at Augusta.
Eight days ago, Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
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Matsuyama fist bumps 2020 champion Dustin Johnson during the Green Jacket ceremony after Matsuyama won the Masters.
Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods congratulated Matsuyama on his momentous achievement.
“Making Japan proud Hideki,” he said on Twitter. “Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment for you and your country. This historical Masters win will impact the entire golf world.”
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also congratulated Hideki Matsuyama, calling his win “wonderful.”
“With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, he’s given courage and inspiration to all Japanese people,” Suga said in a statement Monday local time.
“He has become the first Japanese person to win the Masters and first to win a major championship. He is the first one in Japan and also in whole Asia. I think it’s amazing.”
CNN’s Mai Nishiyama contributed to this report.
