In 2021, Hideki Matsuyama made history as he became the first male Japanese golfer to secure a Major title. In a thrilling final day at the Masters, a level-par final round was good enough for a one-shot victory.
Being introduced to the game by his father, the Japanese star spent a week as the world’s top-ranked amateur in 2012, boasting wins at the 2010 and 2011 Asian Amateur Championship.
As well as multiple victories on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama has also racked up eight titles on the Japan Golf Tour and reached a career-high second in the Official World Golf Rankings in 2017.
Who Is Hideki Matsuyama's Wife?
Despite his success, little is known about Matsuyama’s personal life, so it came as a surprise when he announced back in July 2017 that he and his wife had just welcomed their daughter into the world.
As well as their daughter, Kanna, little is known about his wife, Mei, with neither in attendance for when Hideki won the 2021 Masters tournament.
Speaking at the 2017 Northern Trust Open, held in August that year, Matsuyama addressed the news and revealed the simple reason why he had been able to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
“No one really asked me if I was married, so I didn’t have to answer that question,” the then 25-year-old said. “But I felt that after the [2017] PGA would be a good time, because our baby is born and I thought that would be a good time to let everyone know.”
While, on the face of it, his form slightly dipped after starting a family, Matsuyama insisted he had no problem separating the two aspects of his life. “Golf is golf,” he said. “Once we get on the golf course, that’s what I’m thinking about.”
The first win as a married man for Matsuyama arrived at the 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open - his second title at that championship - while the Japanese golfer's maiden victory as a father was at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in early August.
Following a four-year gap without a victory, Matsuyama won the 2021 Masters before picking up three further PGA Tour titles - the 2021 Zozo Championship, the 2022 Sony Open, and the 2024 Genesis Invitational.
After claiming a first Major, Matsuyama said of his family: “I was thinking about them all the way around today. I’m really happy that I played well for them."
For more content on the Japanese golfer, see Matsuyama's what's in the bag setup or learn about his caddie Shota Hayafuji.
