Hideki Matsuyama

Hideki Matsuyama, Xander Schauffele headline as PGA Tour golf returns to Asia

Masters champion Matsuyama will be the focus of intense home interest, while for the American Schauffele — whose family has ties to Japan — it will be a return to the country where he won Olympic gold in August.

Tee shot to T-shirt: Masters champ Hideki Matsuyama hits ball into fan's clothing; watch video

Matsuyama signed the ball for the fan but went on to make bogey on the hole, snapping a run of five birdies in a row to finish the front nine.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Solid start by Anirban Lahiri as top golf stars Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama trail

Lahiri shrugged off a bogey start on first by later sinking some huge putts. Two of his birdies on ninth and 15th came from 28 feet.

PGA Championship: Leaderboard provides fascinating mix of contenders at halfway mark

Mickelson, 50, winner of five Majors, but none since 2013, is a co-leader at 5-under, and Matsuyama, who attained a ‘God-like’ status in his home country, Japan, won the Masters only last month.

PGA Championship 2021: Phil Mickelson shares lead with Louis Oosthuizen on windswept Kiawah Island

Mickelson looked like the Mickelson of old on another windswept grind around the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, running off five birdies over his last eight holes, the last one giving him a 3-under 69 and a share of the lead.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama yearns for Games but can relate to cancel call

Matsuyama, ranked 15th in the world, is set for an Olympic berth and wants the Games to be staged, not only for himself but for thousands of other Japanese athletes.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: ‘I have mixed feelings’, golfer Hideki Matsuyama latest Japanese star to voice doubts over safety of Games

Matsuyama's comments come after tennis star Naomi Osaka said she was "not really sure" the Tokyo Games should go ahead, with fellow player Kei Nishikori also urging a discussion on the wisdom of staging the event.

Masters golf champion Hideki Matsuyama gets Prime Minister's Award

Matsuyama received the award from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who saluted him for lifting spirits in Japan this time — and 10 years ago.

The Masters 2021: Hideki Matsuyama's triumph gives wings to Japanese challenge, inspires Asia's golf community

"You know it's really inspiring is really amazing. I'm very happy for him. He's a fantastic person, like I said. He is really great for Japan, and for golf. You know the Olympics are coming to Japan and we have the current Masters champion, representing Japan.

The Masters 2021: Tears, cheers and shares rise as Hideki Matsuyama's victory thrills Japan

Even Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga weighed in, telling reporters the performance had been "really wonderful."