Hideki Matsuyama shoots 65, leads by four at the Masters Tournament April 10, 2021
Matsuyama shot a 30 on the back nine to take the lead on Saturday. (Kevin Cox/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, Ga. Hideki Matsuyama showed he could handle Augusta National when he first showed up as a 19-year-old amateur. Ten years later, the Japanese star put himself on the cusp of a green jacket Saturday at the Masters Tournament.
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In a stunning turnaround after storms doused the course, Matsuyama had four birdies, an eagle and a superb par at the end of a 7-under 65, turning a three-shot deficit into a four-shot lead as he tries to become the first Japanese player to win a major.
Golf: Hideki Matsuyama holds four shot lead into final round at US Masters
11 Apr, 2021 12:35 AM
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Hideki Matsuyama reacts after making an eagle on the 15th hole at Augusta. Photo / AP
AP
Japan has been sending golfers to the Masters since 1936, with about three dozen players combining for well over 100 appearances at Augusta National.
And none had ever finished a round atop the leaderboard.
Until Saturday.
Hideki Matsuyama s four-shot lead going into Sunday s final round of the Masters is a breakthrough moment for Japan, which became the 17th nation to see one of its players hold a lead after any round at Augusta National.