Golf: Touching Masters gesture by Hideki Matsuyama's caddie Shota Hayafuji goes viral

Shota Hayafuji's Masters moment stole the hearts and minds of the sports world. Photo / ESPN/Twitter

In the wild scenes that followed Hideki Matsuyama's historic Masters triumph on Monday morning it took hours for the golf world to turn its attention back to an act of sheer class that went widely overlooked.

Matsuyama's breakthrough win — the first major triumph by a Japanese player — created the usual global attention and wild fanfare in the minutes after he sank his final putt on the 18th hole to win by one stroke over American Will Zalatoris.

And as he was escorted away for interviews and the eventual, traditional green-jacket ceremony, footage of his caddie Shota Hayafuji was beginning to take centre stage.

The club-carrier was seen with the flag in his hands after he had briefly celebrated and embraced Matsuyama, before he returned it to the hole and made a solemn bow straight back down the fairway towards the 18th tee.

The act of respect has been melting hearts at the Masters and is now going viral.

Following Hideki Matsuyama's Masters win, his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, bowed to the course after returning the pin on the 18th hole. #themasters pic.twitter.com/gdLsWSC0Ac

— ESPN (@espn) April 11, 2021

Matsuyama said after the presentation that one of his first thoughts after victory was for his caddie.

"When the final putt went in, I really wasn't thinking of anything," he said.

"But then hugging Xander (Schauffele) but then when I saw my caddie, Shota, and hugged him, I was happy for him because this is his first victory on the bag."

"And then it started sinking in, the joy of being a Masters champion."

Part of the thrill, he said, is the idea that he could inspire some youth who become major golf rivals while he is still playing.

"It's thrilling to think that there are a lot of youngsters in Japan watching," he said. "Hopefully in five, 10 years, when they get a little older, hopefully some of them will be competing on the world stage.

"I still have a lot of years left, so they are going to have to compete against me still. But I'm happy for them because hopefully they will be able to follow in my footsteps.

"I can't imagine what it's going to be like, but what a thrill and honour it'll be for me to take the green jacket back to Japan."