HONOLULU – Expect to see a lot more of Hideki Matsuyama on the PGA Tour this year.
The 21-year-old Japanese export, currently ranked 23rd in the world, has taken up membership for the 2013-14 season, but don’t think he’ll only play the minimum requirement of events.
“Pretty much, I’m going to play a full season here in the States,” he said Wednesday through an interpreter. “That’s what I’m thinking right now.”
Matsuyama, who is competing in this week’s Sony Open, doesn’t yet have a home base in the U.S., but it may not matter if he’s competing every week. He’s already made 14 total PGA Tour starts, including seven last season, when he finished 21st or better six times. So far this year, he owns a T-3 at the Frys.com Open and T-25 at the CIMB Classic among his three starts.
As to which tournament he’s most looking forward to, Matsuyama was diplomatic.
“All the tournaments are courses that I’ve only seen on TV,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to playing all of those.”