Hideki Matsuyama caddie Shota Hayafuji out for season, Taiga Tabuchi to continue filling in
Hideki Matsuyama's longtime caddie Shota Hayafuji is sidelined for the rest of the season with a neck injury.
Caddie Shota Hayafuji is sidelined for the remainder of the FedEx Cup Playoffs and beyond due to a herniated disk in his neck. Hideki Matsuyama, the Japanese golfer who won the Masters in 2021, has been working with Hayafuji since 2019. The injury has caused pain that has extended down Hayafuji's right shoulder and arm, according to Matsuyama's longtime manager and interpreter, Bob Turner.
Hayafuji and Taiga Tabuchi, who have been splitting time for much of the season due to Hayafuji's wife giving birth earlier this year, will now operate as a duo. Hayafuji was unable to return to the Wyndham Championship, calling Turner to inform him he couldn't even make a fist with his right hand. Matsuyama has granted the remainder of the season off, which is expected to include the Presidents Cup in Chicago.
Turner believes Hayafuji will return to Matsuyama's bag at the Baycurrent Classic in October. Matsuyama is a strong favorite to make the International Team again. He has entered the BMW Championship at 15th in the FedEx Cup standings and is on track to make the Tour Championship.
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