Augusta, Georgia, United States: Hideki Matsuyama enters the 88th edition of the Masters Tournament in upbeat mood as he looks to repeat his historic triumph of 2021 at Augusta National.

The two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner, who is currently 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking, became the first Asian golfer to win the coveted green jacket three years ago.

By his own admission, though, that may never have happened had he not triumphed in the AAC, an event that was founded by The Masters, The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation.

Indeed, the first two of his 12 appearances at Augusta National were courtesy of his victories in the AAC in 2010 in Tokyo and 2011 in Singapore.

Ahead of his latest Augusta outing, Matsuyama reflected on the impact on his career of the AAC.

“Winning the Asian Amateur twice and being invited to the Masters tournament was really life-changing,” said Matsuyama, who finished tied 27th on his Augusta debut in 2011, claiming low amateur honours.

He added: “I always wanted to play in the Masters. I watched it on TV a lot. I’m grateful to the members of Augusta National for what they have done, not only for me, but for golf in Asia. It’s been quite rewarding.

“Probably the sweetest memory I have of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was when I won in Tokyo. I wasn’t in the (original) field, but thankfully was able to get in (due to additional spots being granted to the host nation) and win. And then to be invited to Augusta National, that was probably my sweetest memory.

“Since coming here 13 years ago as a rookie, it was really a long learning process on playing the golf course and how the course should be played at Augusta National. I’ve learned a lot. Luckily, I was able to win and now preparing to hopefully get back into the winner’s circle and another green jacket. Coming back to Augusta, it never gets old.”

In 12 previous starts at the Masters, Matsuyama has missed the cut only once. In addition to his 2021 success, which earned him the Prime Minister’s Award in Japan, he’s posted two other top-10s and five top-20s at Augusta National.

Backed by some recent solid form, the Japanese superstar has good reason to be hopeful of launching another title run in the season’s first Major.

Matsuyama said: “To be able to win this tournament was a thrill beyond thrills. I’m preparing hard to be able to do that again. You always like to peak for this week. Until 2021, I always took the week off before the Masters, but since then I've played the week before. It has been able to get me into tournament shape.”

The 32-year-old claimed a record ninth PGA Tour title at February’s Genesis Invitational, snapping a two-year winless run. In so doing, he overhauled Korean KJ Choi as the Asian with the most PGA Tour wins.

He followed that with a tied 12th finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, equal sixth at The Players Championship and joint seventh at the Valero Texas Open, results which have lifted him up to third place in the FedEx Cup points list.

More importantly, he’s also free of injury for the first time in a couple of years.

This week at Augusta, Matsuyama is joined by his 21-year-old compatriot Ryo Hisatsune, who received a special invitation from Augusta National to compete in his first Masters.

Hisatsune is playing his first full season on the PGA Tour after earning dual membership via the DP World Tour Race to Dubai rankings.

“My life right now is not at all what I had imagined it would be. Over the last six months, and really the last year, I feel like my golf game has improved dramatically and that’s really thanks to my time on DP World Tour,” said Hisatsune, who won the French Open last season to become the first Japanese winner in continental Europe in 40 years.

“Every part of your game needs to be at the highest level to stay competitive (on the PGA Tour) so I’ve really tried to utilise the weapons that I have in my own arsenal while continuing to play my own style of golf, which I think has had the biggest impact for me to stay competitive thus far.”

After a couple of practice rounds at Augusta National in the past week, Hisatsune is still awestruck. “It’s hard to express in words, but when I think of the Masters, it’s a tournament I remember watching as a kid, picking up the game. Later when deciding to make a career in golf, it has always been the tournament I wanted to play in the most. Of course, seeing Mr Matsuyama win really left an impact on me,” said Hisatsune, who has two top-25s from 10 starts on the PGA Tour this season.

“It’s my first Major. I plan to play my own golf and enjoy myself. I just want to enjoy my time and take in as much as I can. Regardless of the results, I’ll give it my best shot. I don’t have anything to fear.”