THE MODERATOR: Well, a very good eclipse afternoon to all of you. We're going to do something a little different at this session. If you would, and we would like to do the first portion of it in English, English questions, and then we'll designate the second half of it to questions from our colleagues from Japan. So they will be conducted in Japanese. Could you just summarize that for me, Bob.
(Japanese translation.)
THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Hideki, welcome back to Augusta National. I would like to congratulate you again on your great victory here three years ago. It's not very long ago. Delighted to have you back. This is your 13th appearance at Augusta. You have made the cut almost every time except, I think, once. It's a tremendous record. What experiences have you developed from so many times here at Augusta?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Since coming here 13 years ago as a rookie, it was really a long learning process on playing the course and how the course should be played here at Augusta National. It's been a wonderful experience, and I've learned a lot. Luckily, I was able to win and now preparing to hopefully get back into the winner's circle here and another Green Jacket.
Q. We know everybody came to Augusta with different feelings, so my question is, as a champion of the Masters Tournament, especially from Asia, what do you like the most about the Tournament and Augusta National, and how do you feel every time you came here after your win?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, winning the Asian Amateur twice and being invited to the Masters tournament was really life-changing. I always wanted to play here in the Masters. I watched it on TV a lot. I'm grateful to the members of Augusta National Golf Club for what they have done, not only for me, but for golf in Asia. It's been quite rewarding. Then to be able to win this tournament was a thrill beyond thrills. Again, I'm preparing hard to be able to do that again.
Q. A mostly dry week except for maybe one day. I'm curious if you can talk about the difference between a fast course and a wet course and which one you like better.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: The course plays differently, of course, like you know, between wet and dry. If the course is playing hard and fast, it's more difficult. Winning score is usually lower -- not lower, but higher. When it's wet, I mean, it can go to 20-under.
I like both, but if it goes to 20-under, my chances are -- get slimmer. So, I would like a more, tougher setup where it plays dryer, fast and hard. I think I have a better chance when it's playing that way.
Q. My second question is, as many years as you have been coming to the Masters, do you still buy stuff in the shop, and what's the one thing you can't leave without buying?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: You're right, I always go to the pro shop and do some shopping. The one thing I do buy every year, though, is a hundred pin flags and I'll sign them and give them to our sponsors and guests and my friends.
Q. So you were mentioning the Asia-Pacific Amateur and I wonder if you could tell us about your best memories of that event. And also you been following the growth of the impact of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in the region, no?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Probably the sweetest memory I have of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was when I won in Tokyo. I wasn't in the field and thankfully was able to get into the field and win, and then to be able to be invited again to here to Augusta National, that was probably my sweetest memory.
Q. What is your favorite thing, after being here 13 times, about coming here as a champion? Is it the dinner? Is it the privileges? What is it?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Just playing at Augusta National, that's what I look forward to, yeah.
Q. Can you describe the feeling that you get when you get to return to Augusta and put on your Green Jacket?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yeah, again, coming back to Augusta, I mean, it never gets old. I look forward, especially this year, to the Champion's Dinner. It will be quite an event. I don't have to worry about the menu or anything, just enjoy.
Q. Given the success you've had here and how many years you've been back, has your preparation changed ahead of the tournament given how successful you have been here playing at Augusta National?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: That's a good question. You always like to peak for this week. Up until 2021 I always took the week off before the Masters, but now since then I've played the week before.
It's been able to get me into tournament shape. But then, on other hand, too, you get tired from playing two in a row. So I'm still searching for that perfect preparation method.
Q. You're among the leaders in the strokes gained around the green category. How important is that improvement you had in that part of your game, and how important is it here this week at Augusta?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: You know, this course, you play point to point, from the tee to the green. So my goal is always to hit every green, but there are certain holes that are more difficult, and I'm going to miss greens. So that aspect of my game hopefully will help me this week when I do hit that off iron shot into the green.
Q. From Golf Magazine China, I heard you like your putter so much you didn't change that brand since you were a kid. We heard you have more than 30 pieces of that brand of putters. Do you switch different models by tournament or how long do you switch?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I usually stick with just one. I have an Ace putter, I do have a number of them, but there is one that I use. Sometimes it performs, sometimes it doesn't, but I've stuck with it for a long time, and I will continue to.
(Questions and answers in Japanese.)
THE MODERATOR: Thank you all for being here. We wish you the best of luck this week and look forward to you having great rounds of golf. Thank you.
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