Rory McIlroy tells Tiger Woods what Hideki Matsuyama does better than anybody in golf

Hideki Matsuyama might be the single most underrated player in all of golf.

The 2011 Masters winner is an 11-time PGA Tour winner, a former world number two, and came one playoff hole away from winning the WM Phoenix Open this year.

But while the Japanese superstar may not quite get the recognition he deserves from fans, he is certainly recognised by his peers. The greatest golfer of all time, Tiger Woods, and fellow Career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy, recently sang his praises at TGL.

And McIlroy mentioned that Matsuyama does something better than anyone else in the world.

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

What Hideki Matsuyama is the best at in the world, according to Rory McIlroy

McIlroy was mic’d up at TGL, and a conversation between him and Woods was clipped for social media.

In the clip, McIlroy was speaking about playing with Matsuyama at The Players and noticed something he does better than anyone.

The Northern Irishman said to Woods, “I played with Hideki last week, and I don’t think there’s anyone better with like a 30-yard pitch shot. It’s just so good.”

As one of the best wedge players on the planet, that’s incredibly high praise from McIlroy. And Woods passionately nodded in agreement.

But do the statistics back up McIlroy’s statement?

Why Hideki Matsuyama is the best player in the world from 30 yards

Statistically speaking, Matsuyama is the best player in the world from that specific 30-yard range. While many fans focus on his ball-striking or his signature pause at the top of his swing, the numbers show that his short game is his actual superpower.

Specifically, in the 20-30 yard range, a distance that often separates the elite from the average, Matsuyama’s efficiency is staggering.

As of the 2026 PGA Tour season, Matsuyama is consistently ranked in the top five in strokes gained around the green. He currently ranks fifth in that department with 0.61 strokes gained per round.

This means he gains over half a stroke on the field every single round just by being better at chips and pitches like the ones from 30 yards.

From the 20-30 yard range, Matsuyama is a statistical outlier with his scrambling. He has recently hovered around a 78-80% scrambling rate, which is exceptionally high for shots from that distance.

During his peak stretches, like the WM Phoenix Open, he has recorded scrambling percentages as high as 92.3%, clawing his way to par nearly every time he misses a green.

Matsuyama also consistently ranks in the top 20 in overall proximity. From 20-30 yards, his average proximity is significantly better than the Tour average, often leaving him with putts inside 5–8 feet, which he converts at a high rate to save par.

That said, McIlroy’s statement is entirely accurate.

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