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The Masters 2020: Top 10 Potential First-Time Winners

By Tim Letcher

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 30: The gates are locked at the entrance of Magnolia Lane that leads to the clubhouse of Augusta National as the coronavirus pandemic causes closures of venues and nonessential businesses on March 30, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals has been postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 30: The gates are locked at the entrance of Magnolia Lane that leads to the clubhouse of Augusta National as the coronavirus pandemic causes closures of venues and nonessential businesses on March 30, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals has been postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 08: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan looks on from the 15th tee during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 08: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan looks on from the 15th tee during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 9 Hideki Matsuyama

Let’s be honest about Hideki Matsuyama. This guy has a ton of talent and everyone in the world, including him, knows it. But let’s continue to be honest about Matsuyama. He has vastly underachieved, especially considering what was expected of him when he burst onto the world scene a few years ago.

Matsuyama has only won five times on the PGA Tour. Just five. Granted, two of those have been World Golf Championship events, but he has yet to win a major championship.

However, he has fared pretty well at Augusta National. He was the low amateur in 2011 when he tied for 27th. The following year, he tied for 54th.

After not playing in 2013, Matsuyama missed the cut in 2014. But he was fifth in 2015 and tied for seventh in 2016. He then finished T11 (2017), 19th (2018) and T32 (2019).

At some point, Matsuyama is going to put it all together and win a major championship. It’s really just a matter of time before that happens. That’s not to say that it will be at the 2020 Masters. But it’s also not to say that it won’t be. When Matsuyama does win a major, it will probably be less of a surprise than the fact that he has yet to win one.

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