Hideki Matsuyama hopes to defend Masters title

REUTERS: Hideki Matsuyama said Tuesday he still hopes to defend his Masters title this week despite dealing with a stiff neck that forced him to pull out of last week’s Valero Texas Open.

“Since then, it’s been a struggle,” he said through an interpreter at Augusta National Golf Club. “I had a lot of treatment last week, though, at the Valero Texas Open. Monday and Tuesday, I was pain-free, feeling really good. Then I woke up Wednesday morning, and the neck was stiff again.”

“But I’ve had a lot of treatment the last couple of days. I just came from the practice range and really felt good. It’s probably the best I’ve felt in a long time. So, I’m looking forward to Thursday, and hopefully I’ll be 100 percent by then.” Matsuyama, 30, carded a 2-over 74 in the first round last Thursday in San Antonio but withdrew on Friday after playing nine holes in 1-under 35.

Ranked No. 12 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Matsuyama has not completed a tournament since he tied for 20th at the 3-6 March Arnold Palmer Invitational. He withdrew from The Players Championship (10-14 March) due to a back injury.

Last April at Augusta National, Matsuyama defeated Will Zalatoris by one stroke to win the green jacket and become the first man from Japan to win a major.