Paramus, New Jersey …
There’s been a new baby and now a look look along with a new outlook and a decision to hire his old caddy.
Hideki Matsuyama has teamed-up with his long-time caddy and the move paid immediate dividends for Japan’s No. 1 ranked player on the day one of the Northern Trust in Paramus, New Jersey.
Matsuyama, 26 kick-started his round in brilliant manner with three birdies in succession from his second hole and then moved to four-under with a birdie at his eighth on the rain-softened Ridgewood Country Club course.
The current World No. 20 then moved to five-under for his round with a birdie at this 10th hole ahead of a 14th hole bogey to sign for a four-under par 67 to leave Matsuyama just one shot off the clubhouse lead.
After a two month break and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama has caddie Daisuke Shindo back on the bag for this week’s Northern Trust. (AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRKGLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
“I’ve been working hard on my game and I am seeing some improvements in my game,” he said.
“Hopefully, that will carry on through the Play-Offs and I can do a little better.”
Matsuyama’s lofty position in the now 119-player field, and this following the withdrawal due to a chest injury of last week’s Wyndham Championship winner Brandt Snedeker, corresponds with Matsuyama ‘re-hiring’ caddy, Daisuke Shindo.
Shindo has been by Matsuyama’s side since he turned pro in 2013 and has included lofty Major results of T5th in the 2015 Masters, T2nd at the 2017 U.S. Open, T6th in the 2013 Open Championship and a share of fourth place in the 2016 PGA Championship.
The duo parted following Matsuyama’s 11th place result in this year’s U.S. Open, and this despite a closing round 66 at Shinnecock Hills, and with Matsuyama arranging for a friend, who also a member of the travelling Japanese golf media, to fill the vacant role.
However, Matsuyama then missed the cut in The Open at Carnoustie and headed to Ohio, as defending WGC – Bridgestone Invitational champion to end in a share of 37th.
Matsuyama finished two places higher a week later in the PGA Championship while last week he shot weekend rounds of 64 and 65 for a share of 11th in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.
Matsuyama and fellow countryman, Shindo agreed to get back together this week.
“It is just like old times and like nothing has changed,” said Matsuyama.
Matsuyama’s downturn in form also coincided in becoming a father for the first time having fallen from 10th to 12th on the World Rankings following the U.S. Open and, in fact, dropping four places to his current 20th ranking following last week’s Wyndham effort.
“It is a coincidence that my ranking has slipped since we had the baby and I haven’t played well in being a new father,” he said.
“I’ve been able to do both well I thought but it is right that I do think I haven’t”.
Also, in recent weeks Matsuyama has put himself on a diet and while planning to lose three kilos, the five-time PGA Tour winner shed close to seven kilos.
“It is probably the best diet I have been on, as it’s been a stressful year,” he said.
“I was just planning to lose three but it ended-up like six or seven, so I am now trying to get a bit back.
“What do you think? How do I look (smiling).”
I responded to him saying: “You look great’.
It prompted Matsuyama to reply: “Okay, then I’ll stay just the same as I am right now.”
