Hideki Matsuyama is back in Japan Tour this week. It has been his 2nd tournament in Japan this season, following the inaugural PGA Tour tournament in Japan, ZOZO Championship, which Tiger had done the historical win No.82, and Hideki finished as runner-up.

On Wednesday, Hideki talked to the press to express his passion for this Dunlop Phoenix Tournament. Then hosting sponsor for this event, Srixon is also Hideki's main sponsor. Hideki has been in US PGA Tour since 2014, but he always comes back for this event, and he has been in contention most of the times, but he only has won in 2014.
"I have special feeling for this tournament, so I really regret that I haven't won since 2014. I really want to win this year."

Hideki has won at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2017, which is his 5th PGA Tour victory and most multiple win by a Japanese player, but his winning streaks has stopped there since. He suffered a backache at WGC HSBC Championship earlier this month and finished at 11th, and with that his season is in danger of closing without a win.

"My backache is okay now. I haven't been able to win for such a long time. I have lost the touch for it. So, I really want to win this week and, want to close this year feeling good about it."

Last week at SMBC VISA Taiheiyo Masters, his junior from same college, Takumi Kanaya has won as an amateur. 4th amateur to win at the professional tournament, which followed the footsteps of Hideki, which he has done at the same tournament back in 2011. Hideki had spent some time with Takumi last August and gave his advices.
"I told him to win at the professional tournaments, and he really has done it. Maybe he plays better under pressure."

Hideki is grouped with Cameron Champ, current No.1 long hitter in US PGA, and Shugo Imahira.
"I was with Cameron last month, but he flies too much so I will try not to look at his play. As for Shugo, I remember losing to him in junior days, so this time I will try to win against him."