With the completion of the 2021 edition of the Masters Tournament, which is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia, and with the record setting victory of the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama as the first Asian born golfer to win the Masters and the green jacket. Matsuyama is considered the first player from outside America, Europe, Africa, and South America to win the title, this victory came in the 85th edition of the tournament.
The title of the tournament was monopolized by American players until 1961, when the first player from outside America won the championship, Gary Player, and then came the first victory of a European player in 1980 when Seve Ballesteros won the title for the first time, these two wins were a real boost for players from outside America to come and compete for the title at Augusta, as Ballesteros was only the first of many players from Europe to claim the title after him.
The arrival of the star Tiger Woods and the historic 1997 victory which took thew golf world by storm, Tiger became the first black golfer to win the Masters and went on to win four more titles afterwards. This victory was a major turning point in the world of golf, whether for black players or for the game of golf in general, the popularity of the game increased dramatically after what when Tiger become the superstar of the game, as he inspired a lot of players to enter the game and many of them are competing in the elite category now, the practice of the game increased also around the world, as the impact was felt by almost everyone around the world.
On Sunday, April 11, 2021, the Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama played a more than wonderful final round at the masters that culminated him as the 2021 Masters winner, winning the tournament for the first time as an Asian Born golfer, and the first Japanese male player to win a Major title, he become the first Japanese to get the famous green jacket given to the winner of the masters. His win was followed widely in Japan and around the world, as it is a historic win for the golf world. Matsuyama become the first player form Asia to win a Major title. Something was regarded as very difficult until recently given the strong players from UAS and Europe.
Many players and followers have expressed their happiness with this victory and the great role that this victory will play in the development of the sport in Asia and around the world. Tiger Woods wrote on his Twitter account congratulating the winner and adding, “This historical The Masters win will impact the entire golf world.” Many players, whether old or current, congratulate the player and hope that this victory will positively affect the popularity of the game around the world. The player himself said in an interview after the tournament that he hopes that his victory will have a positive effect and that he will only be the first.
It is worth noting that Japan will host the Olympics this year, and Matsuyama will participate in the tournament, representing his country, Japan, as this year’s Masters champion, this is expected to be a factor in attracting many Japanese followers Olympic golf championship in Japan.
