With two tour wins, Matsuyama is Asia's shining golf star

As another year draws to a close, one thing remains certain – the sun always rises in the Far East with Japan truly basking in the glory of its most famous golfing son, Hideki Matsuyama.

- Chuah Choo Chiang

The 32-year-old Matsuyama was the star of the show in 2024 for Asian golf, when he won twice on the PGA Tour to cement his stature as the most decorated player from the region with 10 career victories.

The 2021 Masters champion was triumphant at the Genesis Invitational in February and FedEx St Jude Championship in August, as he finished tied-ninth in the FedExCup and will conclude the year as the world No. 6 player. Matsuyama also clinched the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

In Japan, the word "senpai", simply translated, means "senior", which is both a natural and respectful way of referring to someone who is your elder.

Matsuyama has certainly played the big-brother role to aspiring Japanese golfers that the likes of Rikuya Hoshino, Kaito Onishi and Takumi Kanaya have risen with successful campaigns in 2024 as well, and will join Matsuyama and his 22-year-old compatriot, Ryo Hisatsune, on the PGA Tour in 2025.