On cloud nine after winning his first title on the U.S. PGA tour, the next biggest challenge for Hideki Matsuyama is becoming the first Japanese golfer to win a major tournament.
Matsuyama, 22, will get that opportunity when he tees off this Thursday in the U.S. Open for the second consecutive year at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Matsuyama became the fourth Japanese to win a U.S. tour event with victory at the Memorial on June 1.
He skipped last week's FedEx St. Jude Classic and arrived in Pinehurst last Wednesday, where he has been busy practicing his shots and his short game.
"I'm in great form," said Matsuyama, who paid particular attention to his approach shots and putting in Monday's practice.
Matsuyama, who has reached the World No. 13th rank for a career high, will be in the same threesome with fellow young guns Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler.
"That's a good group to be in," he said. "I want to give it my best."
Shot accuracy will be essential on the lengthy 7,562-yard Pinehurst No. 2 course, which features sharp inclining greens.
Matsuyama, who shined with his Nos. 6 and 7 irons at the Memorial, hopes the growth of his short game since last year will also help him navigate this difficult course.
The Japanese golfer did not mince words in an interview after his first U.S. tour victory.
"It was a dream of mine since a child to win on the U.S. tour," he said. "My next goal is of course victory at a major."