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THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP


July 16, 2013


Hideki Matsuyama


GULLANE, SCOTLAND


MIKE WOODCOCK: Good morning, everyone. I'd just like to get us started this morning and welcome Hideki Matsuyama, two-time Asian Pacific Amateur champion, and a three-time winner this year on the Japan Golf Tour. Thank you for joining us this morning. I'd like to start by asking you, I guess you're a relative newcomer to links golf and the whole experience here at Muirfield this week in The Open Championship, it must be something you're looking forward to very much.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: First of all, I'm really happy to be here. This is my first Open Championship. I'm looking forward to it very much, especially the pairings the first, second round pairings I'm very excited about, and looking forward to playing.

Q. I'd like to ask who you've been talking to to get advice on how to play on links golf courses, which players have you been talking to. And in particular, did you talk at all to Ryo Ishikawa, who does have experience playing links golf?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I haven't spoken with Ryo Ishikawa, but I did just meet with Shigeki Maruyama, who finished 5th here in 2002. And he gave me a lot of advice not only on links courses, but here on Muirfield. Shigeki told me that the wind is usually strong here at Muirfield, and I need to hit the ball low. And we talked a lot about how to hit the low shots, and he helped me a lot there.

Q. Just wanted to ask about your great finish at the U.S. Open. What's that done to your confidence and belief that you can actually challenge in Majors?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: You're right, the finish at the U.S. Open did a lot for my confidence, knowing that I can play on the world stage. As far as golf, though, golf is golf, and I just continue on.

Q. You're really big in Japan now. You've won a couple of times. Do you have any thoughts on coming and playing either on the European Tour or the PGA Tour in the future?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I'm very looking forward to playing on the European Tour and the U.S. PGA Tour. As soon as I can get status, that's where I'm going to be playing.
MIKE WOODCOCK: Your thoughts on Muirfield? I believe you've had the opportunity to play two practice rounds so far.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I played three rounds here at Muirfield. I've never played on a course with harder fairways or harder greens. So it's been an adventure and a great learning experience for me.
MIKE WOODCOCK: Are there particular shots you'd say you've had to pick up and practice to come into this week?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, I've had to learn really how to hit the low shot. The fairways are so hard and the running approaches is something I've been working on.

Q. Do you have any family and friends that have traveled over with you for the week? What are your expectations of how you want to perform this week?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I didn't come with my family this week, just came with myself, coach, trainer, caddie. As far as looking forward to results, again, this is my first Open Championship, and I'm going to do my very best. Whether or not my confidence is going to translate into results, I'm not sure, but I do know that I'll do my very best.

Q. Ryo has had to shoulder the burden of carrying Japanese golf the last few years, and now he's gone down in the rankings and you're on the top, how do you handle that pressure?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I've only been a pro for really just a couple of months. And as far as being the shouldering or taking over for Ishikawa, I haven't even thought of that. All I'm doing is trying to play the best golf that I can, gain the experience that I need, and just go out and play golf.
MIKE WOODCOCK: Hideki, thank you very much, and we'd like to wish you the best this week.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports


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