Excited Higa ready for Masters debut

s, including solo fifth in 2015 and tied seventh in 2016.

"I'm very grateful to receive guidance from my great college senior. He taught me things like 'it's better to hit from here because the ball will go there' and things I couldn't even imagine," said Higa.

 "I wished I had the time to ask him more questions. The time I had with Matsuyama was very precious indeed."

Matsuyama, who finished tied-14th last year, is confident of producing another solid showing on the course that remains "mostly the same" for him."

“They have made some changes to the course but overall, it’s mostly still the same. I should be able to hit the ball the way I want,” said the eight-time PGA Tour winner.

Higa was also glad that the neck injury which forced him to retire on the third day of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was no longer bothering him as he eyes another title charge this week.

"It was a relief to be able to come here in good health this week," he said.

Ends.