2021 AT&T Byron Nelson: Top 10 picks at TPC Craig Ranch

Hideki Matsuyama was originally slated to make his post-Masters return last week at the Wells Fargo Championship. Instead, it’s here at the AT&T Byron Nelson where we see Japan’s golf star back in action.

He routinely plays a busy schedule, so four weeks off should feel nice.

It’s interesting to see what comes next now that Matsuyama won the big one.

For as steady of a presence he’s been inside the top 30 in the world, he hadn’t won anywhere since 2017. That’s another weight off his shoulder.

The Japanese media will always be there in full force. He’s a reserved guy who doesn’t seem to jive with all that, though it seems like he compartmentalizes the attention well. Not having to answer when his first major will come has got to be a relief. It’s a lot easier to discuss when the next one will be.

The 29-year-old ranks 22nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green (1.028) and 27th in SG approach (519).

He’s consistently been outside the top 100 in SG putting. It’s the main culprit for not having more than six PGA Tour wins. Matsuyama looked worlds more confident with the flat stick at Augusta. Per Golf WRX, he switched to a 2012 Scotty Cameron Newport 2 that helped him finish 18th in the field in SG putting.

Matsuyama finished inside the top 25 twice at the Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest.