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"I have jet lag a bit and, to be honest, my game is not in a
good shape," Matsuyama said, "but I am competing in my home
country so I hope I can spend a quality time in limited days to
bring my good game."
Matsuyama is one of 78 players in the limited-field event as the
PGA Tour returns to Asia for the first time since the COVID-19
pandemic began. "Asian Swing" tournaments in 2020 were either
canceled or relocated, as was this season's CJ Cup.
"Before the COVID (pandemic), we had tournaments in Korea,
Japan, China and Malaysia," Matsuyama said. "If there is a
tournament somewhere in Asia, because of a little time
difference many viewers can reach us, which is beneficial. I am
not sure what will happen next year but if the Tour comes back
to Asia, I will be happier."
Matsuyama wasn't being humble about the state of his game. The
defending Masters champion has only managed one top-five finish
in official Tour events ever since. He's 3-for-3 in made cuts in
the early stages of the 2021-22 season, but a T6 at the
season-opening Fortinet Championship was his only finish in the
top 50.
Regardless, Matsuyama is Japan's first male major champion and
one of its biggest golfing stars, making him a marquee name for
this week's tournament at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club
in the suburbs of Tokyo.
"It has been two years since I played here last time so I am
definitely excited to be here," Matsuyama said. "I was in Japan
for the Olympic Games but there were no spectators, which was a
bummer. But we will have some spectators here and are able to
play in front of them. I am hoping to see them on the course and
show my good game for them. If I play well, I may have a
chance."
Matsuyama finished in a tie for fourth at the Olympics, coming
up just short of the podium. In a wink to those results, the
Tour paired Matsuyama for the first two rounds with Xander
Schauffele and Chinese Taipei's C.T. Pan -- who won Olympic gold
and bronze, respectively.
In assessing his own game, Matsuyama pulled no punches, keeping
expectations for the week low.
"Overall, I was not consistent," he said. "Again, I was not
consistent at two events in Las Vegas so hopefully playing well
this week could be my momentum to get going. Ball-striking,
putting, chipping, all of these have not reached the level I
want.
"If my game scored 10 out of 10 at the Masters, now I would say
it scores less than 1. I will be struggling this week but I am
here in Japan so I am motivated to be in contention."
--Field Level Media
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