R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Presidents Cup 2022: Hideki Matsuyama’s caddie got the autograph of every U.S. caddie … on his bare chest

September 26, 2022

You remember Hideki Matsuyama’s caddie Shota Hayafuji, right? Hayafuji went viral back in 2021, offering a bow to Augusta National following Matsuyama’s groundbreaking Masters victory. It was a show of respect for one of golf’s great theaters, and Hayafuji carried that same solemn reverence to Quail Hollow this weekend, where he asked for the autograph and each every U.S. caddie at the conclusion of play on Sunday … on his bare chest. Look upon true humility and rejoice, golf fans.

OK, so not exactlyyyy the same vibe here as Hayafuji gave off at Augusta. In fact, this is decidedly more Tommy Lee than Tom Watson. The heart around the belly button, “Sam Burns is your daddy” scrawled across his chest, the arrows pointing to pleasure town. The guy is giving Adam Levine a run for his torso ink. Oh, and speaking of the embattled Maroon 5 singer, we’re gonna do the meme now if that’s OK with you.

Needless to say, Hayafuji is flying up the caddie power rankings as we speak. He’s blown by Shane Lowry’s breathtakingly intoxicated looper Bo Martin and found himself hot on the heels of Geno “Motel Review Guy” Bonnalie as a new PGA Tour season heats up. How far his new physique takes him remains to be seen, but right now the sky is the limit.