Who is Hideki Matsuyama’s Caddie? Meet the PGA Tour Pro’s Popular Looper

Hideki Matsuyama, a former World No. 2 golfer, built up a record of impressive wins carving out an incredible career for himself on the golf course. Whether it’s the victory at the Memorial Tournament, two Waste Management Phoenix Opens, two World Golf Championship events, or the incredible ten PGA Tour events. His legacy has grown with each tournament, but none have come close to matching his incredible win in 2021.

That year, Matsuyama made history as the first Japanese golfer to wear the Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. It was a success that not only transformed his life but also brought fame into his caddie life. So, who is the popular looper behind Matsuyama’s success on the course?

Who is guiding Hideki Matsuyama’s swings? 

Matsuyama has had a constant caddie for the past few years and it’s none other than Shota Hayafuji. Beyond just carrying clubs, the caddie himself is an accomplished player, holding an impressive profile on the China Tour. Born in 1993, he turned pro in 2016 but decided to step away from that journey in 2018. On his China Tour bio, the caddie has shared that he began playing golf in Tokyo at the age of 12 and described the sport as “an exciting” endeavor.

Before teaming up with Matsuyama, Hayafuji looked up to him as his favorite player on the PGA Tour and had dreams of following in his footsteps on the US-based circuit. It’s fascinating how a player turned into a caddy for the pro they liked. Since Hayafuji took over in 2019, Matsuyama has continued to thrive, consolidating his position as Japan’s most successful player on the American tour.

Despite having had different caddies early in his amateur career, such as Taisho Okabe in 2011 and Katsuya Kobayashi the following year, Hayafuji’s relationship with Matsuyama has seen more closeness over the years. Their connection was particularly shown during the Masters in 2021 when Shota removed his hat after Matsuyama sank the victory putt, which immediately went viral.

He gently bent his head after returning the pin, which resonated with fans and went viral on social media. Hideki Matsuyama reflected on the moment, saying, “When the final putt went in, I really wasn’t thinking of anything. But then I saw my caddie, Shota, and hugged him. I was happy for him because this is his first victory on the bag.” 

Later when Hayafuji found out about his viral news he clarified that, “I surrendered to the path primarily because I was grateful. “I wasn’t planning on doing it, and it just happened — like an instinct,” he said, capturing the raw passion of the moment and going viral yet again. And just through such actions, Shota has also emerged as a social media figure in the last few years.

Shota Hayafuji has gone viral more than one time

Shota Hayafuji has definitely made headlines more than once! Remember the Genesis Invitational in February 2024? He really grabbed attention when he was spotted nonchalantly vaping high above the 18th green at Riviera. It’s moments like these that remind us how vibrant and unpredictable his journey with Matsuyama has been!

But of course, just like others, their journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. There was that tough time when Matsuyama had to switch caddies when Shota’s passport got stolen and he had to fly back to Japan. It was just before the PGA Tour pro’s Olympics showdown. Despite these hurdles, Matsuyama won bronze in Paris. This goes to show Hideki Matsuyama’s grit and the support his caddie has been that even without him Hayafuji knew Matsuyama wouldn’t fail. These two are an example of one of the finest caddie and golfer relationships and friendships in the sport. What do you think of Hayafuji’s feats? Let us know below!