Hideki Matsuyama's recent win fuels confidence

It would be unfair to characterize Hideki Matsuyama’s 2015 campaign as a step backward simply because he failed to win a tournament for the first time as a professional.

But it wasn’t much of a step forward either for the 24-year-old from Japan.

Matsuyama started 2015 ranked No. 16 in the world and finished it ranked No. 15. Through the course of 27 worldwide events that included a career-high 10 top-10 finishes, his ranking never fluctuated higher than 18th or lower than 14th.

His highlight was easily a fifth-place finish at the Masters Tournament that included a personal-best 66 on Sunday.

“Last year I didn’t win on tour and it was a bit of a struggle,” Matsuyama said through his translator. “I was really, really happy with my fifth-place finish at Augusta and it just kind of showed me that there are still parts of my game that just weren’t good enough to win on the PGA Tour.”

Matsuyama obviously rectified any deficiencies in a dramatic playoff victory over Rickie Fowler in Phoenix in February. It required a series of clutch putts at the end of regulation and four playoff holes to prevail over arguably the hottest player in the world through the early months of 2016.

“That was the difference in my game between this year and last year,” Matsuyama said. “Last year I wasn’t making those putts when I really needed them, but Phoenix showed me that I can make those putts. I just hope I have that opportunity again on a big stage.”

Matsuyama has seemed destined to excel on the big stages since he first qualified for consecutive Masters as an amateur by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2010 and 2011 and eventually becoming the No. 1 amateur in the world. He made the cut both times he competed at the Masters as an amateur, taking the low amateur medal in his debut.

He also finished tied for 10th and tied for sixth in his first starts in the U.S. Open and British Open as a professional in 2013. In 13 career major starts, the only cut he’s missed came at the 2014 Masters after an opening 80.

Even though he won his first PGA Tour event against an elite field at the 2014 Memorial, the win in Phoenix has fueled his confidence heading into the major season.

“It’s been a great run so far, but going back to Phoenix that just proved to me that I can compete at a top level against the best in the world,” he said. “Whether I can win or not, there’s a lot involved in winning. There’s some luck involved also. But at least I know given the opportunity I can play with the best in the world. That experience at Phoenix has really helped me mentally in my preparation for the Masters.”

Matsuyama has made no secret that he yearns to be the first Asian golfer to win the Masters. This will be his fifth Masters start in six years.

“I’m not sure anyone’s comfortable at Augusta National,” he said. “It’s such a difficult golf course. My preparations up until now have always been to win the Masters one day. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.”

Last year was a positive step toward that goal. He posted all four Masters rounds under par, including the 66 that tied Rory McIlroy for the lowest score in the final round.

“I’m happy with the way I played and so I have no complaints,” he said before leaving Augusta last year.

He returns with renewed confidence after his recent victory and is positioned to enter the world’s top 10 for the first time.

“I worked hard over the winter and then to win at Phoenix has given me a lot of momentum and confidence and helped my mental preparation immensely,” he said. “So hopefully I can make a good run at the green jacket this year.”