AT&T BYRON NELSON

May 11, 2021

Hideki Matsuyama

TPC Craig Ranch

Press Conference

DOUG MILNE: We would like to welcome Hideki Matsuyama. I want to welcome you back to your first tournament after your Masters victory. Welcome to the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson. Making your third start here at the AT&T Byron Nelson. Different course, obviously. If we could just get some thoughts. Have you had a chance to see much of the course and just some thoughts on being back here this week.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I was able to play nine holes early yesterday morning, played the front nine. It's a great looking golf course.

DOUG MILNE: It's been one month to the day, April 11th, you won your Masters. Obviously your world has changed a lot. If you could just kind of run us through a few of the highlights of some of the more exciting things you've been doing in the last month as a result of that win.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I was able -- after the Masters, I was able to go back to Japan. The first two weeks, though, I spent quarantined and, but after that I was able to spend time with my wife and little girl, able to visit my family home and see my parents and family there. So it's been good.

DOUG MILNE: We'll open it up to questions.

Q. I wanted to ask you what it was like going home? What was the most exciting thing you did once you got out of quarantine or what moment stands out?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Probably the one thing that stands out is I got back to Japan and I was quarantined for two weeks and I was able to probably read every news article and newspaper and magazine and TV. And seeing how the Masters win was portrayed in Japan was great, really unforgettable, and that really stands out for my trip back to Japan.

Q. Was that the first time you've ever read so much about yourself?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: It was. It was by far the most. A bit embarrassing. I'm not used to all that attention, but grateful that people took notice.

Q. I'm wondering, what are your new goals now? Have you had a chance to think about what you might want to get out of the game now that you've ticked this off as a major accomplishment? And you said you're not used to that much attention, but we know you've always had a lot around you. Are you ready for even more as things go forward?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: As for goals, probably, after you win a tournament and you make some adjustments and you go on, but this time going back to Japan and really not picking up a club much over there, I didn't get to practice very much at all. And then coming back here, and I'm just, really one of my goals now is just to try to find my game again and prepare for the PGA Championship next week.

Q. Are you ready for the extra attention that it will all bring?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I realize now the responsibility that goes with a major championship, especially the Masters. I'm honored. I'm flattered by the added attention, but at the same time, sometimes it's difficult to say no. But it goes with the territory and, again, grateful that I have this opportunity and I'll try my best to prepare well for what's to come.

Q. Two separate things. Have you re-watched your Masters victory or highlights of it, and if so, what came to mind?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, I wasn't able to see the complete broadcast, but I did see some of the highlights, and I was, while I was watching those highlights, I got nervous again, just like I was playing, and it was, at some points, difficult to watch because I was so nervous and all those nervous memories was brought back.

Q. Secondly, how often have you worn the Green Jacket and where are some of the places that you've been able to wear it?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: No, I brought the Green Jacket back to Japan. Very proud to be able to show it to my parents and family and friends. I wore it twice in Japan. The first time was at a media press conference and then again I wore it when I was able to meet with the prime minister of Japan. I received an award from him.

Q. I wonder if this has changed - your Masters win has changed the way you view yourself, the way you look at yourself, maybe in terms of your legacy and even your future.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: No. Looking at myself, I mean, it was a relief, really, to win the Masters. It had been awhile and now moving forward and looking forward I still have the drive to want to win more on the PGA TOUR and hopefully the confidence or the relief. It's kind of an unusual combination of the two feelings of how I look at myself and hopefully I'll be successful in the future.

Q. I think there's a general assumption that the Masters Champion's Dinner next year is going to feature some form of sushi. Have you given it any thought?

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, sushi does come to mind. I'm a little worried. I don't know if everyone will really like sushi or not, but I'm going to check with some people and get their advice and what they think. There's a lot of really good food from Japan, a lot of, some of the best beef in the world, so I'm thinking about that and looking forward to it next year.

DOUG MILNE: All right. We'll take questions in Japanese.

(Questions in Japanese.)