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Augusta (AP) - Hideki Matsuyama was relieved to take his caddy on the 18th green of the Augusta National Golf Club after the last putt.
The 29-year-old professional wrote golf history with his triumph at the traditional Masters.
Matsuyama became the first Japanese to win a major tournament.
He won after a 73 final round on the difficult par 72 course with a total of 278 strokes ahead of the American and Masters debutants Will Zalatoris (279) and Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele (both USA / 281).
As a trophy, Matsuyama was dressed in the legendary green winner's jacket by his predecessor Dustin Johnson and was also presented with prize money of around two million US dollars.
For the Japanese, it is the sixth success on the US tour.
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"I am very happy," said Matsuyama after the major triumph with the help of a translator on the TV station CBS.
"I hope to be a pioneer that many other Japanese will follow."
Ten years ago he was named best amateur at the Masters.
In 2011, the then 19-year-old Asia-Pacific Champion finished 27th in the victory of South African Charl Schwartzel.
The Japanese started the final day with a comfortable four-stroke lead over the competition.
After losing a stroke on the first hole, he quickly regained control of his nerves.
But the lead melted away on the last holes.
In the end, one stroke ahead of the strong-playing Masters newcomer Zalatoris was enough for him.
"I fought hard," said Zalatoris.
In golf-mad Japan, Matsuyama was a star even before the Masters triumph.
In the run-up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the admiration for the 29-year-old in his home country should move into new spheres.
As early as 2017, he triggered a hype in Japan with second place at the US Open in Erin Hills and his rise to number two in the golf world.
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The fans also cheered him at the Augusta National Golf Club.
In contrast to 2020, when the Masters was postponed to November due to the Corona crisis, this year a few thousand spectators were again admitted to the tranquil facility - but significantly fewer than in pandemic-free times.
In addition, mask requirements and distance rules applied, which, however, were not strictly adhered to, as can be seen on the TV pictures.
Germany's golf legend Bernhard Langer failed after two rounds at the cut of the $ 11.5 million Masters in the US state of Georgia and retired early.
The 63-year-old from Anhausen struck off at Magnolia Lane for the 38th time this year.
However, the 1985 and 1993 Masters winner was hampered in preparation due to back problems and knee pain and had barely been able to train for the past five weeks.
Langer had set a record last year when he was the oldest player in tournament history to qualify for the two rounds at the weekend.
Numerous favorites around the previous year's winner and world number one Dustin Johnson from the USA had also missed the cut at the 85th edition of the venerable Masters tournament.
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