Matsuyama announces marriage and fatherhood, surprising Japan

It's near miraculous that the press didn't find out about this. At least he had a few months to enjoy flying under their radar.

Wow!! You gotta imagine that there are a few reporters at the various sporting news newspapers and magazines that are getting an earful from their bosses for not getting the scoop on this!!

In any event, congratulations to Matsuyama!

Not too young for marriage, sooner the better for a first run. The second and third are better having the first under the belt. Perhaps it's love, love. If we could tell the future we would all be happy.

Congrats to the happy couple and baby!

If we could tell the future we would all be happy

Nice!

Sounds like a hit song.

Matsuyama is the true professionbal . He has gone about his business as a pro-golfer - and obviously husband and father - with little fanfare.

The article says he is one of the most popular sports figures in Japan. Now that is. He has been on the rise for quite some time, but outside of the diehard sports and golf media, his stories were way under-represented.

This chubby, homey, quiet young man wasn't a "handkerchief prince" or the like to be adored as a mainstream pin-up.

He has always drawn respect and admiration from the foreign golf contingent & press, which is how I came to know more about him a few years ago.

Good Luck to him in his life and golf. He's not far off a Big Win.

Hideki Matsuyama announced on Monday that he has been married since January and is now a father, news which caught Japanese media and fans by surprise.

Love it, well done HM! Basically telling J media he didn't want to be subjected to excessive (media) attention, speculation bs etc.

Always felt Matsuyama was a pretty laidback chap, love his low-key swagger and down to earth approach.

How different Japan is that he has to hide it

Other elite pro golfers around the world routinely bring their girlfriends or wives (though hopefully not at the same time) and their babies to the course when they have a chance of winning a Major

Those saying it's surprising the media didn't catch wind of it earlier should not really be surprised. After being utterly embarrassed about selling out over Ishikawa Ryo, most absolutely shut themselves off in terms of golf news and returned to bandwagon fandom over tennis or baseball. Not that surprising. What's sickening, besides the aforementioned, is why he NEEDED to hide it. He should be proud. Congrats!

"Other elite pro golfers around the world routinely bring their girlfriends or wives (though hopefully not at the same time) "

What about husbands and boyfriends?

One doesn't see them as often, even on the LPGA counterpart