Golf

Hideki Matsuyama accepts invite to play golf with Donald Trump

World number four will play with US president and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits a shot during the pro-am prior to the WGC - HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Wed Oct 25 2017 - 11:50

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama has accepted the chance to play golf with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next month, the world number four said on Wednesday.

Trump will visit Japan from November 5th-7th for a five-nation Asia tour and the game with Matsuyama has been scheduled on the first day at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe near Tokyo.

Matsuyama said he felt undeserving when he was contacted but accepted the surprise request to tee off with the two world leaders as it was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d be good enough,” Matsuyama was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency.

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“I hope to have fun so that it will be engraved in my memory. I’ll do my best not to lose (against Trump),” added the 25-year-old, who is in Shanghai for the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Trump, an avid golfer and owner of several courses around the world, has previously played rounds with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and women's world number three Lexi Thompson.

Earlier this year, McIlroy said that he would “think twice” before accepting a second invitation to play with Trump after receiving criticism.

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