Golf-Matsuyama understands Japan's virus concerns but hopes Olympics can go forward

FILE PHOTO: May 16, 2021; McKinney, Texas, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament. / Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

KIAWAH ISLAND, South Carolina (Reuters) - Japan's Hideki Matsuyama said he understands why many in his home country want this summer's Tokyo Olympics cancelled as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic but he hopes the event can still go forward.

The Masters champion said the United States is further along in its efforts to vaccinate people against the virus than in Japan, where only about 3.5% of its population of about 126 million has been vaccinated, according to a Reuters tracker.