Morita
After your result on the grand stage that is the Masters, in 2024, you also clinched a medal at the Olympics.

What are your memories and impressions of the Games?

Matsuyama
It was a really wonderful outcome. Having aimed for gold, part of me was naturally disappointed, but I think this medal did a lot for men's golf in Japan, and I'm pleased with my effort.

Morita
For those of us who haven’t experienced it, does competing on the PGA Tour differ from the Olympics?

Matsuyama
They're entirely different. The PGA Tour is like a winner-takes-all contest. You could say the same about the Olympics, with medalists and non-medalists, but representing Japan felt completely different.

Morita
When you received the medal, you seemed almost shy or embarrassed. How did you feel?

Matsuyama
It was partly relief, but the medal was so heavy around my neck that I couldn't help but grin (laughs).

Morita
Heavier than you imagined?

Matsuyama
It was. Golf is a sport where you normally don't earn medals, so the weight took me by surprise a bit.

Morita
So, it was a new experience for you. In that sense, after more than 10 years of competing on the world stage, did 2024 mark another step forward?

Matsuyama
With the Olympic medal and my tenth PGA Tour title, I was able to boost my win rate, so now I'm chasing wins 11 and 12.

Morita
Being based in America, were you aware of the many other Toyota athletes who also took part in the Olympic Games?

Matsuyama
Not really, I'm afraid.

Morita
We were all cheering you on as one of our Toyota athletes, and I thought you might like to know about these connections.

Speaking to other Toyota athletes, I found that quite a few had questions they wanted to ask you.

Today I brought two of these questions, which I hope you might answer.

The first is from Toyota GAZOO Racing World Endurance Championship (WEC) Team Principal Kamui Kobayashi.

"In recent years, I've been thinking a lot about the future of racing. As a top golfer, what do you think it takes for Japanese to be successful on the world stage?"

Matsuyama
That's a difficult question. I still don't know.

Morita
When competing at world level, do you feel there are areas where you are lacking, for example, or need to work harder?

Matsuyama
Personally I do, but talking about golf or Japanese people in general, there are so many different environments, and environment doesn’t count for everything. I feel I can't really speak to that.

Morita
At the same time, today's lesson for junior golfers is an example of the efforts you are making for the sport's future, isn’t it? How do you feel about that?

Matsuyama
I don‘t know if they will keep on playing or will be involved with golf, but I hope they use this experience to become successful on the world stage in whatever area.

Morita
What kind of message do you most want to impart to young golfers?

Matsuyama
I want to share everything I have and do my best to answer their questions.

Morita
Do you emphasize the mental or technical aspects?

Matsuyama
It depends on the question, but I try to respond to the needs of each player.

Morita
Do you prefer to let your golf game do the talking?

Matsuyama
I’m not great with words, so I think that suits me better (laughs).

Morita
Thank you. Let's do one more from our athletes. The next question is from Kazuki Himeno, who plays for Toyota Verblitz and the Japan national rugby team.

"I also golf, but I tend to dwell on my errors. Unlike rugby, where the match keeps moving, golf gives you time to think, and I struggle to shift my mindset. How do you manage that?"

Matsuyama
I’m not really able to.

Morita
Is your answer that you can’t?

Matsuyama
The next shot is waiting. It may seem like there is time as we are walking, but we need to be thinking about what lies ahead. So, it’s in the back of my mind as I’m looking forward.

Although you do have some time, you have to think about the next steps to avoid making on-the-spot decisions. We must focus on what's ahead, which leaves less time than you’d expect.

To make it as pro golfers, I don’t think we have time to dwell on things.

Morita
Right, so you’re able to just forget the mistakes?

Matsuyama
I don’t forget the mistakes because they’ve been made. But if I don't picture my next position and situation, I won't be able to deal with the unexpected. That’s what I do to prepare for the next shot.

Morita
You're constantly having to prepare for what lies ahead?

Matsuyama
You have to watch how other players hit and how their balls land to spot challenges and figure out your approach. That really doesn’t leave much time.

Morita
No time to let mistakes get you down?

Matsuyama
When I’m really down is when my game is terribly off. It may feel like "Oh no, not again," but if you look positively to the next play, then you know not to waste a single shot. That’s how I feel.

Morita
At those times, you don't try to force a shift in mindset?

Matsuyama
Not really. As I walk, I picture what's next, while also considering what went wrong, what led to the error.