European Tour official website counts 2021 national heroes: Matsuyama Morikawa Ram on the list
On January 2, from Grand Slam champion Hideki Matsuyama and Jon Ram to Rookie of the Year Marty Schmid, the official website of the European Tour counted the players who set new golf records for their respective countries in 2021. .
1. Hideki Matsuyama-the first Japanese player to win the US Masters Championship
After the American Masters was held in November for the first time in history, it resumed its usual April in 2021 local time and produced a new Grand Slam champion, which is worthy of being recorded in history. After hitting a 73 in the final round, Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese player in the history of the Masters.
The 29-year-old entered the final day of Augusta’s national team with a four-shot lead. When he reached the corner of Amen, he extended the lead to six, but on the last nine holes, the situation became very dramatic. . The Japanese withstood the impact of Zal Willis and had the last laugh.
There have been two women's major championships in Japanese history, and the appearance of Hideki Matsuyama has filled the men's gap. "I hope I can become a pioneer in this area, and many other Japanese will follow suit. I am very happy to be able to break through this door and hope that more people will follow me." Matsuyama Hideki said.
2. Jon Ram-the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open
Earlier in 2021 local time, Jon Ram became the first Spanish champion at the US Open. He won the Grand Slam for the first time earlier this year, adding another layer of history to his career.
When he was crowned No. 1 in Europe in 2019 and then became No. 1 in the world for the first time in July 2020 local time, he followed in the footsteps of the late and great Seifer Ballesteros and became the only one to win both. An honorable Spaniard.
But when he raised his first Grand Slam trophy in Torrey Pines and regained his position as No. 1 in the world, history belongs to him alone, because he accomplished what even Ballesteros could not do until Sunday. Thing: The Spaniard's victory at the US Open.
Ram did not forget the importance of this achievement. He quickly dedicated his first Grand Slam title to his idol: "I am the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open. This is definitely Dedicated to Seifer. I know he tried many times. He did a good job at the Masters, but I know he wants to win this game the most."
3. Adrian Mellock-the first Polish player to participate in the Grand Slam/Olympic/DP World Tour Championship
For Adrian Mellock and the Polish golf field, this is a memorable year. He became the first Polish to win a full card at the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour), and also became the first Poland to participate in the US Open (Grand Slam), DP World Tour Championship, and Tokyo Olympics. people.
Like Hideki Matsuyama, Adrian Mellock hopes that his own achievements can promote the development of the sport in his home country: "When I discovered that golf returned to the Olympics, it immediately became one of my goals on behalf of Poland. When people see golf at the Olympics, it will be a positive thing. There is still a stereotype in Poland that golf belongs only to the rich and it is not a sport. If they see me participating in the Olympics on TV , It will definitely help."
4. Victor Hofland-the first Norwegian to win the DP World Tour/participate in the Ryder Cup
In his short career, Victor Hofland has broken the barriers of Norwegian golf. In June local time, at the age of 23, he won the BMW International Open in Germany, won his first European Tour championship, and became the first Norwegian to win the DP World Tour. Just three months later, Victor Hofland made history again and became the first Norwegian player to participate in the Ryder Cup.
"Obviously, the Ryder Cup is a big event, and Norway does not have a long history in this event. So personally, waving the Norwegian flag next to the European flag will be a great honor." Victor- Hofland said.
5. Marty Schmid-the first German to win the "Silver Medal"
Marty Schmid has made history for Germany twice this season. The first time was during the British Open at Royal St. George in July 2021, local time. The 65 shot in the second round helped him become the first to win the "silver medal"-awarded to the amateur player with the lowest score- Germans. He immediately turned professional and finished runner-up at the Dutch Open. He also won two top ten places in the process of winning Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year-after Martin Kemer. The second German to achieve this feat.
"To be honest, to be the second German to win the Rookie of the Year after Martin Kemer is incredible for me. This is something I never thought would happen." Marty -Schmid said.
6. Abraham Ansel-the first Mexican to win the DP World Tour
Abraham Ansel is also one of the players to win a historical record this season. He became the first Mexican to win the DP World Tour Championship. At the age of 30, he finished the 2021 World Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational with a score of 16 under par, and then defeated Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama in the extra play.
Abraham Ansel participated in the European Tour for the first time in 2019. He had previously tied for fourth place in the World Championships-HSBC Champions of the season. He also hopes that his victory can inspire the next generation of players: "I know that Mexico is now in a better position than a few years ago. I hope that my victory can inspire some children to go out to play golf, learn about the sport, and in general To develop this sport. I am very excited about the direction of my country’s development."
7. Bernard Weisberg-the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup
Bernard Weisberg, who won eight European Tour championships, also made his own history in his rookie debut in the Ryder Cup. He has participated in the Euro-Asian Cup twice, but he has never qualified for the Ryder Cup. When returning from injury in 2019, Weisberg scored three victories-he brought this momentum into the qualifying stages of the Ryder Cup team, including the eighth made in 2021 Seamelan. A European Tour champion.
That Friday afternoon kicked off with Paul Casey in the first group. Bernard Weisberg became the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup: "There are two moments that really impressed me this week, but I am most proud of being announced by Paddy at the opening ceremony as the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup."
8. Colin Morikawa-the first American to win the Dubai competition
Colin Morikawa won the 2021 DP World Tour Championship, ending an amazing 2021 and becoming the first American to win the Dubai competition. In less than two and a half years of his career, Morikawa has won two Grand Slam titles and a World Championship, and now has added a Rolex Series victory and Harry Vardon trophy to the Wanamaker Cup and Wine Jug.
After starting his European Tour season at the Dubai Desert Classic, Morikawa won his first World Golf Championship at the WGC-Workday Championship held at The Concession, and then entered the TOP20 at the U.S. Masters and the U.S. PGA Championship. TOP10, the U.S. Open ranked top five.
"It's very special, it's really an honor to be the first American to do this on the European Tour, and let my name compete with many Hall of Famers, it's very special." Colin Morikawa said.
1. Hideki Matsuyama-the first Japanese player to win the US Masters Championship
The 29-year-old entered the final day of Augusta’s national team with a four-shot lead. When he reached the corner of Amen, he extended the lead to six, but on the last nine holes, the situation became very dramatic. . The Japanese withstood the impact of Zal Willis and had the last laugh.
There have been two women's major championships in Japanese history, and the appearance of Hideki Matsuyama has filled the men's gap. "I hope I can become a pioneer in this area, and many other Japanese will follow suit. I am very happy to be able to break through this door and hope that more people will follow me." Matsuyama Hideki said.
2. Jon Ram-the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open
When he was crowned No. 1 in Europe in 2019 and then became No. 1 in the world for the first time in July 2020 local time, he followed in the footsteps of the late and great Seifer Ballesteros and became the only one to win both. An honorable Spaniard.
But when he raised his first Grand Slam trophy in Torrey Pines and regained his position as No. 1 in the world, history belongs to him alone, because he accomplished what even Ballesteros could not do until Sunday. Thing: The Spaniard's victory at the US Open.
Ram did not forget the importance of this achievement. He quickly dedicated his first Grand Slam title to his idol: "I am the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open. This is definitely Dedicated to Seifer. I know he tried many times. He did a good job at the Masters, but I know he wants to win this game the most."
3. Adrian Mellock-the first Polish player to participate in the Grand Slam/Olympic/DP World Tour Championship
Like Hideki Matsuyama, Adrian Mellock hopes that his own achievements can promote the development of the sport in his home country: "When I discovered that golf returned to the Olympics, it immediately became one of my goals on behalf of Poland. When people see golf at the Olympics, it will be a positive thing. There is still a stereotype in Poland that golf belongs only to the rich and it is not a sport. If they see me participating in the Olympics on TV , It will definitely help."
4. Victor Hofland-the first Norwegian to win the DP World Tour/participate in the Ryder Cup
"Obviously, the Ryder Cup is a big event, and Norway does not have a long history in this event. So personally, waving the Norwegian flag next to the European flag will be a great honor." Victor- Hofland said.
5. Marty Schmid-the first German to win the "Silver Medal"
"To be honest, to be the second German to win the Rookie of the Year after Martin Kemer is incredible for me. This is something I never thought would happen." Marty -Schmid said.
6. Abraham Ansel-the first Mexican to win the DP World Tour
Abraham Ansel participated in the European Tour for the first time in 2019. He had previously tied for fourth place in the World Championships-HSBC Champions of the season. He also hopes that his victory can inspire the next generation of players: "I know that Mexico is now in a better position than a few years ago. I hope that my victory can inspire some children to go out to play golf, learn about the sport, and in general To develop this sport. I am very excited about the direction of my country’s development."
7. Bernard Weisberg-the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup
That Friday afternoon kicked off with Paul Casey in the first group. Bernard Weisberg became the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup: "There are two moments that really impressed me this week, but I am most proud of being announced by Paddy at the opening ceremony as the first Austrian to participate in the Ryder Cup."
8. Colin Morikawa-the first American to win the Dubai competition
After starting his European Tour season at the Dubai Desert Classic, Morikawa won his first World Golf Championship at the WGC-Workday Championship held at The Concession, and then entered the TOP20 at the U.S. Masters and the U.S. PGA Championship. TOP10, the U.S. Open ranked top five.
"It's very special, it's really an honor to be the first American to do this on the European Tour, and let my name compete with many Hall of Famers, it's very special." Colin Morikawa said.