MIYAZAKI, Japan – Japanese golf star Hideki Matsuyama said Tuesday he hoped for a strong turnout at his first domestic tour event this season at the 2025 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament.
The Japan Golf Tour event tees off Thursday at the Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, with Matsuyama aiming to improve on last year’s runner-up finish.
“I want everyone to see me play with all my might,” Matsuyama said during a press conference at the venue.
The 33-year-old earlier in the day played a practice round with domestic tour players and fellow Tohoku Fukushi University alumni Taiga Sugihara and Kohei Okada.
The course layout has undergone changes, with some holes significantly longer than last year, when Matsuyama finished at 18-under, four strokes back from winner Max McGreevy of the United States.
The 2021 Masters champion expressed confidence in being among the contenders at the end of the four days.
“If I can finish double-digits under par this year, I think I have a chance,” Matsuyama said.
AloJapan.com