GOLF.AI • Apr 5, 2026

Hisatsune's Quiet Masters Chase

The "win-and-you're-in" drama at the Valero Texas Open has a compelling new protagonist. While the Masters chases of established names like Tony Finau and Matt Wallace have garnered attention, Japan's Ryo Hisatsune has quietly and efficiently played his way into a share of the lead.

At just 23 years old, Hisatsune displayed remarkable poise under pressure during a marathon Saturday at TPC San Antonio. As other contenders battled through rollercoaster rounds—like co-leader Robert MacIntyre's 72—Hisatsune fired a flawless, bogey-free 5-under 67. He was the only one of the three players tied for the lead to shoot in the 60s in the third round, thriving where others merely survived.

A victory for Hisatsune would not only punch his ticket to Augusta National but also position him as the next great Japanese star, following in the footsteps of former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who is also in the field this week. Hisatsune's steady, mistake-free ascent provides a fresh, under-the-radar storyline, introducing a potential new international force to the global stage of golf.