20 Questions with Hideki Matsuyama

Hideki Matsuyama won his third straight event – and fourth in of his last five – at the Hero World Challenge.

He started the final round with an eight-shot lead, but was reigned in be Henrik Stenson and only won by two.

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In the last few weeks, the Japanese star has bagged a three-shot victory in the Japan Open, he was runner-up in Malaysia, then became the first Asian to win a World Golf Championship with a seven-shot victory over Stenson and Daniel Berger in the HSBC Champions.

Two weeks later, he won the Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Golf Tour by seven.

Matsuyama, who finished at 18-under, won $1 million and remained at No.6 in the world, though his closing 73 ended a streak of 17 consecutive rounds in the 60s.

Earlier this year we caught up with the big-hitting Hideki to ask him 20 Questions…

1 How old were you when you broke par for 18 holes for the first time?

Not too sure but I was probably about 15.

2 What’s been the highlight of your career to date?

Winning The Memorial Tournament in 2014.

3 The best shot of your career?

My second shot at the 18th at The Memorial on the last day.

4 We’re giving you one mulligan – where would you take it?

The last putt on the last green at last year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.

5 Favourite course in the world?

I’ve a lot of favourites but would have to go with Scotland’s Muirfield and then Muirfield Village, the Ohio home of The Memorial.

6 Favourite course in the UK?

Muirfield – where I played my first Open and played well there, having a good finish (6th, in 2013).

7 Favourite hole in the world?

The 12th hole at Muirfield Village, a lovely par 3 over water.

8 Favourite club in the bag?

All of them! I can’t single one out.

9 All-time favourite movie?

Fast & Furious 7, called ‘Wild Speed’ in Japanese.

10 Favourite musician/band?

I don’t have one, I listen to most music.

11 Favourite sports team?

The Tokyo Giants baseball team.

12 Favourite male athlete?

Tiger Woods.

13 Favourite female athlete?

Lorena Ochoa.

14 Favourite view in golf?

Kapalua on Hawaii.

15 Favourite TV show?

I have too many, but I’m always watching ESPN sports centre.

16 Favourite holiday destination?

Maui in Hawaii, great views and weather.

17 Dream fourball (non-Tour players)?

Michael Jordan, Roger Federer and US baseball legend Barry Bonds.

18 Dream fourball (Tour players)?

Tiger, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

19 Best mate on Tour?

Webb Simpson: I played with him in the 3rd round of my first US Open at Merion and he was very kind to me. We’ve been good friends ever since.

20 What would you like changed in golf?

I think the organisers should be more specific regarding timing for slow play.