Thrilled Japanese golf fans welcomed Hideki Matsuyama’s historic Masters victory on Monday, with broadcasters close to tears and the prime minister hailing the win as a bright spot during the pandemic.
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“Matsuyama Masters” trended on Twitter and golf-related shares rose on the Tokyo stock market after the 29-year-old became the first Japanese man to capture a major golf title.
“Matsuyama opens the door of history,” declared the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
In Japan, the one-stroke victory was sealed just after 8pm Monday morning, with some broadcasters carrying live footage of his final-round 73 that saw him finish on 10-under par.
On the TBS station, broadcasters and commentators choked up as Matsuyama sank the final putt to claim the green jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy.
“Congratulations. Thank you,” a presenter said as two golf commentators next to him struggled to hold back tears.
TV networks ran breaking news flashes announcing the victory and several newspapers published special editions online, usually reserved for major stories.
As Tokyo’s stock market opened, shares in Value Golf, which provides services linked to the sport, jumped 14 percent, while golf club maker Graphite Design rose 16 percent.
Fans flooded to congratulate the country’s new sporting hero as social media lit up.
“I can’t see through my tears,” one fan tweeted.
Japan’s prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, told reporters Matsuyama’s performance had been “really wonderful”.
“I think it encouraged and excited people across Japan at a time when the impact from coronavirus is lingering,” he said.
“It is a great achievement.”
Government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said Matsuyama was the latest in a string of Japanese sports stars serving up inspiring performances, from Naomi Osaka’s triumph at tennis’s Australian Open to Japanese players enjoying success in Major League Baseball in the US.
“I hope each one of them will keep playing greatly,” he said.
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