Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is feeling the excitement and pressure of his first Presidents Cup, but is confident he can overcome the tension to help the Internationals against the United States.
The 21-year-old Asian star completed his final practice round on Wednesday at Muirfield Village ahead of Thursday’s opening four-ball matches, in which he and Masters champion Adam Scott, the world number two from Australia, will face Americans Webb Simpson and Bill Haas.
“I’m both nervous and happy to be here,” Matsuyama said through a translator. “Right now, probably the nervousness is winning out.
“But hopefully, as a member of the team, I can hold up my end of the bargain and play well to make my teammates proud.”
Matsuyama has enjoyed a tremendous season, sharing sixth at the British Open and 10th at the US Open. He won the 2010 Asian Amateur title and was low amateur at the 2011 Masters, where he shared 27th.
“He has finished great at the majors, and he’s only 21,” Australia’s Jason Day said. “Everybody is blending together nicely. We’ve played a lot of good golf to be on this team.”
But this will be the first time as a professional that Matsuyama has played four-ball or foursomes matches.