MEMPHIS — Taiga Tabuchi wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Yet less than a week after Paris Olympics bronze medalist Hideki Matsuyama and his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, were robbed in London during a stopover (with Hayafuji losing his passport), Tabuchi stepped up for his friend and faced the sweltering Memphis heat Thursday at TPC Southwind as Hayafuji’s substitute.
Despite the last-minute union, Matsuyama and Tabuchi didn’t miss a beat. Tailed most of the day by a smattering of Asian media outlets and fans, Matsuyama made a late charge up the leaderboard after a tepid start. He made four birdies on a five-hole stretch on the back nine to finish the first round tied for second on the leaderboard at 5 under.
His first time in Memphis, Tabuchi was eager to jump into action to help his Japanese friend and countryman at such a high-profile event.
“I was in Japan, taking a break, and it was a major surprise to me (when I got the call),” Tabuchi told The Commercial Appeal during an interview after the first round Thursday. “He’s, like, the best Asian player, so I was excited to take the offer. I also caddie for Ryo Hisatsune, and he and Hideki have played practice rounds together, so I know Hideki very well. So, I think that’s why he offered me.”
Tabuchi was effusive in his praise for his boss for the week.
“He was awesome,” he said. “He just drained a putt, he drove the ball really well, and he was just hitting it so consistently today.”
FedEx St. Jude: Photos | Friday tee times
Despite his strong showing on the first day of the FedEx St. Jude Championship — the first of three tournaments of the FedEx Cup Playoffs — Matsuyama was still frustrated by the circumstances of Hayafuji’s absence. They were having dinner in London when they looked around and realized their bags were missing.
“We didn’t even know it happened,” Matsuyama said. ” . . . Shota was the first one like, ‘Hey, where is my bag?’ It was just kind of all of a sudden.”
Matsuyama said having a new caddie brought back memories of when he and Hayafuji first paired up. He chuckled and assured the media that Hayafuji still had a job despite his hot start with Tabuchi as his right hand.
As for keeping the positive momentum rolling, Tabuchi says he knows how to stay out of the kitchen when the chef is cooking.
“Next round, just keep doing the same thing,” Tabuchi said. “Just try not to bother him, stay out of the way, and let him be. I’m just carrying the bag, and he does it all by himself.”
