Golf: Hiroyuki Fujita aiming high for 2011 Masters Tournament
Japanese sensation Hiroyuki Fujita is bidding for a top-20 finish in 2011’s Masters Tournament.
The veteran expressed his desire in a press meet in Tokyo. He said, “If I look at the level of play in the world, my golf and my analysis based on my experiences, it's not right to say I'll try to win the Masters. To finish in the top 20 might be an appropriate
goal for me.”
Fujita is surely underestimating his prowess. The 41-year-old won the Japan Golf Tour Organisation Nippon Series JT Cup at the end of 2010 and earned his way into top 50 players of the world. Currently, he is 48th in the world, which is why he
has been invited to compete in the Masters, scheduled to take place in April 2011.
Prior to appearing in Masters, the runner-up of Japan Money List will play in three tournaments in United States. According to details, he will compete in the Accenture Match Play Championship on 21 February, the Honda Classic a week later and the Cadillac
Championship on 7 March in Florida.
This will not be Fujita’s first time on the American soil. The veteran competed in three majors in 2010 except Masters. He finished tied at 58th spot in the U.S. Open, but missed the cut in both British Open and the PGA Championship. The 2011
Masters would be Fujita’s maiden attempt at the coveted event.
Describing his feelings for the humongous honour, Fujita said, “The Masters is a dream stage for me, and I couldn't even imagine being able to play at Augusta until I was informed after the third round of the season-ending event that I could finish in the
top 50 in the rankings and gain automatic entry into the Masters. I've been watching the Masters on TV since I was in high school. I remember Jack Nicklaus won the 1986 tournament and I was late for school after watching live coverage in the Japanese morning
because I just couldn't miss a thing until the end. I'm a Masters rookie. I have nothing to lose. I'll just go with what I've got through my 20-year career and see what happens.”
Fujita will not be the only Asian playing at the Masters. Apart from him, Ryo Ishikawa, Yuta Ikeda and Hideki Matsuyama will also share the honours.
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