Hideki Matsuyama’s backup caddie didn’t hold back his admiration: “He’s, like, the best Asian player”

Hideki Matsuyama made an unexpected change to his team at the first event of the 2024 FedEx Cup Playoffs, appointing a new caddie. Following an unforeseen incident in London, where his regular caddie, Shota Hayafuji, and his swing coach, Mikihito Kuromiya, were victims of a robbery, Matsuyama was compelled to identify a last-minute replacement.

Taiga Tabuchi, a Japanese caddie with experience on the LPGA of Japan and the PGA Tour, assumed the role of caddie for Hideki Matsuyama during this important tournament. Despite the circumstances, the pair demonstrated excellent chemistry from the outset of the competition. Tabuchi expressed his admiration for Matsuyama, describing him:

“He’s, like, the best Asian player, so I was excited to take the offer,” and indicated his excitement at having the opportunity to work with him at such a high-profile event.

With these encouraging words, Hideki Matsuyama and Taiga Tabuchi began a week that promised to be challenging but full of opportunities.

The Incident in London and the New Partnership

Hideki Matsuyama’s suddenly need to change caddies was prompted by an unfortunate incident that occurred in London. During a scheduled stopover, Matsuyama, Hayafuji, and Kuromiya were dining together when they discovered that their personal items had been robbed.

While Hideki Matsuyama only lost his wallet, Hayafuji and Kuromiya were not so fortunate, as their passports were among the stolen items. This resulted in both individuals returning to Japan, leaving Matsuyama without his usual equipment just before the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Faced with this situation, Hideki Matsuyama sought the assistance of Taiga Tabuchi, a caddie who had previously worked for Ryo Hisatsune and was already familiar with Matsuyama from their shared practice rounds. Despite the pressure of making his debut at such a major event, Tabuchi remained positive and stated that in terms of maintaining positive momentum:

“He’s the most famous and best Japanese player so far, so, I’m happy to be next to him, and just walking with him. Just try not to bother him, stay out of the way, and let him be. I’m just carrying the bag, and he does it all by himself.”

With this approach, Tabuchi and Matsuyama faced the Memphis heat together at TPC Southwind, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and resilience.

Hideki Matsuyama’s Performance in the FedEx Cup Playoffs

Hideki Matsuyama’s performance in the FedEx Cup Playoffs was noteworthy, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances. Despite the initial setback, Matsuyama began the tournament with a strong performance, achieving four birdies in a five-hole stretch in the opening round, which positioned him favorably on the leaderboard.

This early performance demonstrated that, despite his absence from his regular team, Matsuyama was focused on achieving a positive outcome.

During the competition, Tabuchi commended Matsuyama for his consistency, noting his ability to strike the ball with precision and maintain composure under pressure. This level of performance was instrumental in Matsuyama’s ability to remain competitive for the title, despite the challenges he faced outside of the course.

“He was exceptional,” he stated. “He successfully drained a putt, demonstrated remarkable driving skills, and exhibited remarkable consistency throughout the tournament.”

Tabuchi went on to highlight Matsuyama’s ability to overcome challenges and close out the tournament in such a remarkable fashion.

Tabuchi’s statements, which were filled with admiration and respect, reflected the strong relationship that was established between the caddie and the player in such a short time.

The tournament concluded with a dramatic finale, and the words of his new caddie were noteworthy.

The outcome of the tournament was as exciting as it was unexpected. Matsuyama found himself in a challenging situation on the 18th hole, requiring a par to avoid a playoff. However, rather than accepting par, Matsuyama executed an exceptional shot that left him just six feet from the hole, thereby securing a birdie and a two-shot victory.

This performance not only resulted in his first title in over two years, but also propelled him to third place in the overall FedEx Cup standings.