MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 8, 2021

Hideki Matsuyama

Quick Quotes

Q. Can you tell us what the conditions were like out there today and how it affected the way you approached this round?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: The greens were firm and fast. It was very important to hit your second shot on the proper side of the pin, and I was able to do that. I felt very good about my round today.

Q. You've been playing here now for ten years. I'm curious, how much better do you know the course now, and how much easier is it for you to go around the course and know where to hit your shots and how to play it.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: It's my tenth year, but I've never seen the greens so firm and fast. So it was like a new course for me playing today, and I was fortunate to get it around well.

Q. I'm also curious, so I'll go ahead and ask. With the Japanese woman who won the Woman's Amateur, does that inspire you? What does that mean to people in Japan for a Japanese golfer to win at Augusta National? Just put that into perspective for you as a fellow countryman.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: What she did was fantastic. I wish I could have seen it. I was playing down in Texas, so I wasn't able to see her play, but hat's off to her. Hopefully, I can follow in her footsteps and make Japan proud.

Q. He said he's never seen it this firm and fast. Is it too firm and fast? Would he prefer that it back off a little bit?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: That's a tough question. Please ask everybody else.