Hideki Matsuyama was outshone by Japanese amateur Takumi Kanaya at the Masters as he shot a three-over-par 75 in the opening round. The world number 28 opened with three straight bogeys at Augusta National Golf Club and was unable to recover, finishing nine shots off the pace set by Americans Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
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The 27-year-old, making his eighth attempt at the year’s first men’s major, finished the day with three birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey. “I figured I couldn’t even get a par (after three straight bogeys),” Matsuyama said. “After that, I wasn’t able to mount a very successful effort and ended up stagnating.
” By contrast, compatriot Kanaya exceeded his expectations with a one-over round of 73 that included four birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey. “I was super nervous (on the first tee),” said the 20-year-old, who stands second among all amateurs. “I didn’t know where it would fly. There isn’t room for error, and I’m over-playing my game, thus the result. I want to pull it together (in the second round) and play at the top of my game.”
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