Hideki Matsuyama supervised the renewal of the Gotemba Course and changes were made on 6th and 11th. Both were Par 5, but this year they are Par 4 settings. On Day 1, Hideki fell in his own trap.

On his front nine, he drove into the left side trees on the 11th (yardage 505). The ball was stuck at the tree root, only thing he could do was to hit it out of the woods. His shot ended up in right side rough. He got it on the green in three, but 2 putted for a bogey.

On the 6th (yardage 510), his second shot went way right and got wet. On his forth shot, it landed 2 meters pass the pin, and his downhill putt couldn't make the hole, which ended as a double bogey.

"I was bogey and double bogey on 2 of the holes that was changed from par 5 to par 4. Those 2 holes were very regretful. But I have to face it, my game is not well right now. I will try to make a comeback tomorrow."

1454 plus from last year, 3509 spectators arrived on the Day 1.
"It has been a while since I last played at Japan Tour, so I was a bit nervous on the starting hole. Also, my playing partner was nervous wreck."

This playing partner was Hideki's college junior and 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship winner. Takumi Kanaya, who earned invites to The Masters and The British Open next year with his victory at the Asia-Pacific, is following footsteps of Hideki Matsuyama. But today's atmosphere must have been too much pressure to the young amateur, and Takumi scored 5 over par.
"Takumi couldn't get his games together, but he had few good shots. His play motivated me. I think he will be fine tomorrow and play much better. Since I don't get the chance to play in Japan so often now so, I want to play much better. I hope to do better tomorrow and make a show on Sunday afternoon."

Hideki made a birdie on Par 3 13th, where his tee shot landed 2.5 meters to the pin. He also done a great sand save on the 15th and made the crowd roar.
"To be in contention, this score is not even close. I must get on charge from tomorrow."
If Hideki could make it, it will be his victory number 3 on this VISA Taiheiyo Masters.