Golf-Japan hails 'bright news' of Matsuyama's Masters win

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 11, 2021 Japan's Hideki Matsuyama speaks to the media wearing his green jacket after winning The Masters REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan sucked in its breath as Hideki Matsuyama almost blew his chance to win the Masters but the golfer's one-shot victory at Augusta National sparked a joyous reaction back home as the country celebrated another sporting triumph in testing times.

Matsuyama, 29, became the first man from Japan to win one of golf's major titles, a feat that drew praise from government and Olympics officials with the Tokyo Games just three months away.