Many golf fans in Japan hope to see Hideki Matsuyama or Tiger Woods win the upcoming Masters Tournament, but 2021 champion Matsuyama says he needs to get his game back before even thinking about being in contention.
"I'm in the worst form. Everything is bad -- from full shots to putting," the Japanese star said Sunday after a final-round 71 left him in a tie for seventh at the Texas Open in San Antonio, the last event before the Masters starting Thursday.
The 32-year-old Matsuyama, entering the final round eight shots off the lead, holed his third shot from a greenside bunker for birdie on the par-4 opening hole.
Rather than the birdie, Matsuyama was unhappy with his second shot from 161 yards out on the fairway.
"It's not worth talking if I miss the green like that," said the nine-time winner on the PGA Tour.
He also birdied the sixth and eighth holes, but back-to-back bogeys around the turn pulled him down the leaderboard.
Despite having some moments on the back nine, Matsuyama could not look at positives from his round.
"Things won't get better unless I find some cause (of my problems)," he said. "I'll get rid of my fatigue first."
Woods is scheduled to return to Augusta National.
The 15-time major champion withdrew from last year's tournament before the rain-delayed third round resumed. He underwent ankle surgery shortly after that.
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