Golfers focus on giving Japan reason to cheer

The hearts of the foursome from Japan were already heavy coming into the Masters Tournament. They hoped to use one of golf's biggest stages to uplift an earthquake-devastated country.

Then came Thursday's jolt, forcing Ryo Ishikawa, Hiroyuki Fujita, Hideki Matsuyama and Yuta Ikeda to confront more bad news from the homefront.

An aftershock had rocked Japan, this one less damaging than the March 11 tsunami- inducing natural disaster, but no less unsettling. While 95 other golfers were having their nerves challenged by Augusta National Golf Club's greens, four golfers from Japan faced an additional test of their mental fortitude.

Ishikawa, 19, the closest thing Japan has ever had to a young Tiger Woods, and the 41-year-old Fujita, who shot 70, didn't hear the news until after they came off the 18th green. Ishikawa (71), who had already committed to donate all of his 2011 earnings to a Japan relief fund, was clearly rattled. Matsuyama (72) and Ikeda (74) learned of the aftershock before their afternoon tee times.

"I'm shocked. I'm worried still that we can't really relax because of the situation," Ishikawa said through an interpreter.

The Masters has a history of producing incredible drama. From Gene Sarazen's double eagle that led to a 1935 playoff win, to Jack Nicklaus' final victory at a major in 1986, to Phil Mickelson's triumph last year while his wife and mother were battling cancer, many outcomes at this golf venue have tugged at heartstrings.

Nothing against co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros, who carded opening 65s for a two-shot lead. It would be a nice story if either produced Europe's first Masters champion since 1999, but no country represented at Augusta National is reeling like Japan right now.

If any place on Earth could use an emotional lift, it's the one shaken by a second earthquake in 27 days.

As shallow as it might appear to some that a favorable Masters outcome can provide any type of healing, four Japanese golfers would beg to differ.

"The best thing I can do is to play golf and play well," said Ishikawa, who plans to return to Japan next week. "People especially in Sendai, they are living in hell. I'd love to share the energy and power that sports and golf can bring to those people."

Sendai, the epicenter of the first earthquake, was just 40 miles from the epicenter of Thursday's aftershock. It's also the home of Tohoku Fukushi University, the school attended by Matsuyama, who wore a TFU shirt and visor. Ikeda, 25, is also an alumnus.

"If I can play the way I played today, that will be encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake," said Matsuyama, who is aiming to be the tournament's low amateur.

As Japan begins yet another recovery process, four countrymen chasing a green jacket thousands of miles away are mindful of playing for a cause greater than themselves.

Matsuyama initially questioned whether to even come and play in his first Masters before supporters convinced him otherwise.

"The Masters, which has been my dream, is their dream as well," Matsuyama said earlier this week. "Doing my best here is my obligation for them."

Ishikawa, whose stature as a sports figure in Japan is fast approaching baseball star Ichiro Suzuki, wants no special commendation for his grand gesture of donating a year's worth of prize money.

"This is my fourth year as a professional golfer, and I was supported by many sponsors," he said. "But now, as I see how those people supported me, now it's my turn to support those people who are in need, and I believe that is my responsibility."

At this week's Masters, wouldn't it be something if somebody from Japan got on a Sunday leaderboard? Or did the unthinkable and won? Now, that would be a story line to get anyone's heart pumping.

Reach Gene Frenette at gene.frenette@jacksonville.com.