Hideki Matsuyama’s caddie bowing respectfully to Augusta symbolizes emotional Masters win for a proud Japan

After winning the Masters, cameras were naturally trained on a visibly emotional Hideki Matsuyama as he took in the magnitude of his triumph.

But in the aftermath of Sunday’s success, another image also went viral – Matsuyama’s caddie Shota Hayafuji collecting the flag from the 18th hole’s flagstick as a memento and then turning to face the fairway, removing his hat and bowing as a mark of respect to the famed Augusta course.

In Japanese culture, the bow originated as a gesture of deference “that began as an exclusive practice of the nobility more than a thousand years ago” but has evolved into a form of greeting, according to National Geographic.

“When the final putt went in, I really wasn’t thinking of anything,” Matsuyama told the media during his post-round press conference.

“But then hugging Xander [Schauffele] … 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.”

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Matsuyama poses with his caddie, Hayafuji, and the Masters trophy.

Having an impact back home

As he slipped on the Green Jacket and held the famous trophy, which depicts Augusta’s clubhouse, Matsuyama could begin to contemplate his win’s significance.

After four grueling days of inclement weather, blustery winds and tought opposition, the 29-year-old’s one-shot victory at the Masters ensured he’d become the first Japanese man to win a golf major.

Although others have come close before, the wait for a major champion has been long for a country with a rich sporting background.

So long that emotions got the better of Tokyo Broadcasting System’s (TBS) commentators. At the moment of Matsuyama’s victory, TBS announcer Wataru Ogasawara said: “Matsuyama won the Masters!” before tearing up and saying: “Finally, finally, Japanese has become the top of the world!”

Co-commentator Tsuneyuki Nakajima burst into tears and could not speak following the win.

Like Yu Darvish in baseball and Naomi Osaka in tennis before him, Matsuyama is hoping that his victory can bring a bright future for golf in Japan.

“I hope it will affect golf in Japan in a good way,” he said.

“Not only those who are golfers already, but hopefully the youngsters who are playing golf or thinking about playing golf, I hope they will see this victory and think it’s cool and try to follow in my footsteps.

“Up until now, we haven’t had a major champion in Japan, and maybe a lot of golfers or younger golfers, too, thought, well, maybe that’s an impossibility. But with me doing it, hopefully that will set an example for them that it is possible and that, if they set their mind to it, they can do it, too.”

Hideki Matsuyama celebrates with the green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 11. He finished one shot ahead of Will Zalatoris.

Matsuyama celebrates with his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green Sunday.

Matsuyama lines up a putt on the 18th green Sunday.

Xander Schauffele bites his club on the 16th hole Sunday. He hit the ball in the water there, effectively ending his hopes of winning the tournament.

Kevin Na plays a shot from a bunker on Sunday.

Matsuyama plays a shot from a bunker.

Schauffele hits a tee shot on Sunday.

An attendant adjusts scores from behind a leaderboard on Saturday.

Matsuyama finished with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round.

Spectators walk to cover on Saturday after play was temporarily suspended because of inclement weather.

Matt Jones reacts on the 13th hole as a warning horn was sounded to suspend play on Saturday.

Justin Thomas hits a tee shot on Saturday.

Justin Rose eyes a par putt on the first hole Friday. Rose held a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.

People spread out from one another as they watch Tommy Fleetwood putt on the 16th green on Friday.

Bryson DeChambeau, last year's US Open champion, plays a shot on the 13th hole Friday.

Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, watches the action along with fellow Augusta National member Heidi Ueberroth on Friday.

Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth walks past the azaleas on the sixth fairway Friday.

Lee Elder acknowledges applause as he joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters on Thursday. In 1975, Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters.

Dustin Johnson, last year's Masters champion, plays a shot on the second hole on Thursday.

Rose hits out of a bunker on the second hole on Thursday. He shot a 7-under 65 to take a four-shot lead after the first round.

This was the first time in two years that the Masters had allowed spectators on the course.

Spieth hits a tee shot on Thursday.

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka had knee surgery less than a month ago, but he was on the course for the first round.

Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the sixth hole Thursday.

Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson hits out of a bunker on the first hole Thursday.

Fans watch some of the first-round play.

Max Homa walks down the 18th fairway on Thursday.

Joaquin Niemann looks for his ball on the 10th hole Thursday.

During a practice round on Wednesday, Ian Poulter takes a Hogan Bridge selfie with his playing partners and their caddies.

McIlroy and Thomas walk across the Sarazen Bridge during a practice round on Tuesday.

Azaleas frame the 16th green on Monday.

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‘If that’s the bar, then I’ve set it’

After his victory, in which he showed remarkable poise despite being on an almost four-year winless drought, Matsuyama thinks he’s raised the standard for his fellow Japanese golfers.

“I can’t say I’m the greatest [golfer in Japan’s history]. However, I’m the first to win a major, and if that’s the bar, then I’ve set it.”

With the Olympics coming to his homeland later this year, pressure will be on his shoulders to bring home the gold medal.

In the meantime there have already been calls for Matsuyama to light the Olympics Cauldron for the Summer Games, something he’d said would be a “great honor.”

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Matsuyama puts on the champion's Green Jacket after winning the Masters.

After having some time to process his win, he’ll travel back to Japan with an additional green item of clothing in his suitcase.

The prospect of inspiring a new generation of golfer excites Matsuyama, although he warns that they’ll have to get past him if they want to win.

“It’s thrilling to think that there are a lot of youngsters in Japan watching today. Hopefully in five, ten years, when they get a little older, hopefully some of them will be competing on the world stage,” said Matsuyama, who earned $2.07 million from the $11.5 million purse.

“But 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.”

Mai Nishiyama and Chie Kobayashi contributed to this report.