Hideki Matsuyama may be the most underrated player in golf.
The 2011 Masters winner, an 11-time PGA Tour winner and former No. 2 in the world, was one playoff hole away from winning this year’s WM Phoenix Open.
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However, while the Japanese superstar may not be getting enough recognition from his fans, he certainly is recognized by his peers. The greatest golfer of all time, Tiger Woods, and fellow career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy recently shared their praises at TGL.
And McIlroy said Matsuyama is doing better than anyone else in the world.
Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy says Hideki Matsuyama is the best in the world
McIlroy was microphoned at TGL, and his conversation with Woods was cut for social media.
In the video, McIlroy talks about playing with Matsuyama at The Players and realized he was better than everyone else.
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The Northern Irishman told Woods: “I played with Hideki last week and I don’t think there’s anyone better than him with pitch shots of 30 yards or so. He’s just amazing.”
As one of the best wedge players on the planet, McIlroy rates incredibly highly. And Woods enthusiastically nodded in agreement.
But do the statistics back up McIlroy’s statements?
Why Hideki Matsuyama is the best player in the world from 30 yards
Statistically speaking, Matsuyama is the best player in the world in that particular 30-yard range. While many fans focus on his ball striking and signature pose at the top of his swing, the numbers show his short game is his true superpower.
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Specifically, at distances of 20 to 30 yards, which often separates the elite from the average, Matsuyama’s efficiency is astonishing.
As of the 2026 PGA Tour season, Matsuyama consistently ranks in the top five in strokes gained around the greens. He currently ranks fifth in his division with 0.61 strokes per round.
This means he’s getting more than half as many strokes on the field every round, just because he’s better on pitches like chips and from 30 yards.
From a range of 20 to 30 yards, Matsuyama’s scrambles are a statistical outlier. His scramble rate has been hovering around 78-80% lately, which is unusually high for a shot from this distance.
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At his peak, such as at the WM Phoenix Open, he recorded a high scramble rate of 92.3%, and has continued to strive to get closer to par almost every time he misses the green.
Matsuyama is also consistently ranked in the top 20 in overall close performance. At distances of 20-30 yards, his average close performance is significantly better than the tour average, often making putts within 5-8 feet and converting them at a high rate to save par.
That said, McIlroy’s statement is completely accurate.
