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29 March 2024

Golf with Trump? I've no idea either, says Japan star

Photo: AFP

Published
By AFP

Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama says he will steer clear of politics when he plays golf with Donald Trump and admits he has no idea how the chance came about.

The US president and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will bond on the golf course when Trump visits on November 5-7 as part of a five-nation Asia tour.

World number four Matsuyama will also tee up with the two leaders and told AFP he was a little mystified as to how the opportunity arose.

"I wish I knew too," he said, speaking in Shanghai on Thursday after the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions, where he is the defending champion.

"But it's an honour to play with the prime minister from Japan and the president of the United States and I am looking forward to it.

"We will have a fun day."

Trump's trip to Asia is set to be dominated by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Asked if he intends to talk politics with golf fan Trump, Matsuyama replied: "I am a professional golfer, not a politician.

"We just look forward to having a fun day, hopefully we will enjoy it and I will have the opportunity again in the future."