TOYKO – Hideki Matsuyama closed with a 4-under 67 to win the Asian Amateur on Sunday and earn a spot in the Masters as the first Japanese amateur at Augusta National.

Matsuyama played bogey-free at Kasumigaseki Country Club and broke par all four rounds for a five-shot victory over Tarquin MacManus of Australia.

With his victory, the 18-year-old Matsuyama earns an invitation to the Masters next April and is exempt into the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

He sealed victory with a shot reminiscent of this year’s Masters. From deep in the woods on the 14th hole, Matsuyama found an opening and hit his apporach to 8 feet for birdie.

“I saw Phil Mickelson hit a great shot from in the trees at Augusta this year, which gave me goose bumps,” Matsuyama said. “I cannot play a shot as good as that, but I was pleased that mine was similar.”