Masters Tournament always etched with fond memories for Aoki

Being an icon and trailblazer for Japanese golf on the international stage, JGTO legend Isao Aoki would love nothing more than to see more of his countrymen qualify and strive for excellence in the Major championships.

The 80-year-old octogenarian, who is also the chairman of the JGTO, believes the current generation of players must double up their effort if they are to fulfil their potential and reach the pinnacle of the game.

Aoki was at the Masters Tournament last week to catch both Kazuki Higa and Hideki Matsuyama in action at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, which the former himself had featured 14 times between 1974-1988.

Matsuyama, the 2021 champion, made the cut and eventually finished tied for 16th on a two-under-par 286 total – 10 shots behind winner Jon Rahm of Spain – while Higa endured a short-lived debut after struggling to a six-over-par 150 in the opening 36 holes.

Matsuyama and Higa formed part of the six-man Asian contingent in the 88-man field of the invitation-only showpiece.

The other four were South Koreans, all of whom are currently plying their trade on the PGA Tour and are ranked among the world’s top 50.

Aoki is hoping to see more Japanese young stars rise through the JGTO ranks and emulate their Senpai Matsuyama in taking their career to greater heights abroad.

Matsuyama is currently the only Japanese to hold a full card on the PGA Tour and has eight titles to his name.

There are currently many talented young players such as Taiga Semikawa, Yuto Katsuragawa, Kaito Onishi and Riki Kawamoto, who are emerging through the ranks.

However, Aoki believes the current generation of players needs to adopt a positive mindset if they are going to match what Matsuyama has achieved thus far.

“It’s certainly a good sign to see a lot of young and potential players earning their breakthrough on our Tour during the early stages of their career before they continue to expand their wings elsewhere. But these players still have plenty to catch up,” said Aoki, who became the first Asian and Japanese to win on PGA Tour when he captured the Hawaii Open title in 1983.

“If you think that just because Hideki Matsuyama has done it, the rest can do it too, then you are mistaken. It’s really difficult (for any Japanese) to perform at the same level as him unless they have the mental and physical strength to travel and play in 42 or more tournaments globally in a year.

“When I was playing golf back then, I just loved golf and could play that well without a hitch. If you want to become a world-class player, you must know the course first and learn how to adapt well. You must also toughen up yourself mentally and physically.”

Aoki had certainly enjoyed himself at the Augusta National last week as he recalled some moments as a player.

“I can never forget each time I walked to the 18th green to the thunderous cheers and applause of the patrons. That always got me really thrilled and pumped up,” he said.

“Every time I missed the cut at Augusta, I always leave with some regrets and tell myself ‘I should have done better’. But I would always make sure that I redeem myself by being the best golfer again in Japan (to earn another invitation). That is probably the reason why I was able to compete in The Masters 14 times.”

Although The Masters was a major tournament he made the most appearances, it was also the one in which he achieved the least success.

Aoki had finished top 10s in the US Open, The Open and PGA Championship. He came close to winning the 1980 US Open- the year where he finished a career-best runner-up.

When asked why he found it tough to do well at the Augusta, the 51-time JGTO winner said: “It is a course that will not let you do things your way. I always wanted to approach the 13th and 15th holes by laying up, but the patrons just wouldn’t let me.

“The loud cheers from them are always so encouraging that I sometimes feel I should attack the pins and pull off a great shot so that I can also give them a lot more to cheer about.”

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