2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama has already punched his lifetime membership to Augusta National, but he's having a rough time getting ready for 2022. After injuring his neck in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Open in early March, Matsuyama is hopeful he'll be able to attempt to defend his title.
Matsuyama became the first Japanese man to win at Augusta last year, finishing one stroke ahead of rising star Will Zalatoris. He shot an impressive 278 for the weekend, 10 under par.
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The 30-year-old said he's been struggling to take a full swing, but treatments for his injury have been helpful.
"...I've had a lot of treatment the last couple of days," Matsuyama said Tuesday through an interpreter, per ESPN. "I just came from the practice range and really felt good. It's probably the best I've felt in a long time. So I'm looking forward to Thursday, and hopefully I'll be 100 percent by then."
I feel like the treatment I've been receiving is helping. I'm on the road to full recovery. I still have today (Tuesday) and tomorrow, and I think by Thursday I'll be ready to play my best hopefully.
How likely is Matsuyama to repeat as champion?
Despite having the green jacket, Matsuyama is a longshot to repeat his Masters win this year at +4000. There hasn't been a back-to-back winner at Augusta since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. If Matsuyama could pull off the feat, he would join rare air, with Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus being the only players who have won back-to-back championship.
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Matsuyama has seemed optimistic about being able to play all week, so expect to see him tee up on Thursday.
"I'm very proud and honored to be here as the defending Masters champion." - Hideki Matsuyama #theMasters pic.twitter.com/AJXjXnPAVi
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 5, 2022
Matsuyama, currently 12th in the world, was playing well to start the year before his injury. He withdrew from the Valero Texas Open at the end of March, and hosted the traditional Masters Champions Dinner to a ton of acclaim.
