Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, got one of those bounces that would leave any golfer shaking their head during Thursday’s first round at Augusta National.Â
Playing the par-5 13th, Matsuyama was 1 under for the day after having missed a short putt on No. 12 that led to a bogey at the 2025 Masters. He had laid up short of the tributary to Rae’s Creek.
The Japanese star played what looked like a great shot onto the green from 67 yards, but after one bounce, the ball slammed into the flagstick and reversed all the way into the water hazard.Â
Matsuyama took a penalty and a drop, then knocked his fifth shot onto the green past the hole, spinning back but still some 15 feet from the hole. He two-putted for a double bogey after having been within reach of a birdie. The 7 dropped him to 1 over for the round.Â
