Japanese players trying to stay focused

AUGUSTA -- The four players from Japan in this year’s Masters field already had plenty on their minds entering this year’s tournament after their home country was hit by a catastrophic earthquake March 11.

But the news got worse Thursday as Japan was hit by another earthquake.

Still, halfway around the world, the players had to focus on golf -- as much as they could -- instead of what was going on at home.

Hiroyuki Fujita and Ryo Ishikawa were able to do that well as they’re right in the hunt after the first round. Fujita shot a 2-under-par 70, while Ishikawa had a 1-under 71. The two other Japanese players, Hideki Matsuyama and Yuta Ikeda shot 72 and a 74, respectively.

“I got to know the news (Thursday) morning when I saw it on the Internet,” Ishikawa said. “I’m worried that it feels like we can’t relax because of the situation. I’m a bit worried.

“I think the best thing I can do is to play golf and play well. I would love to go back to Japan, but I think I would like to play my best this week.”

Ishikawa had four birdies and three bogeys, while Fujita had three birdies and an eagle on No. 15, but some of that was offset by a double-bogey on 11 and a bogey on 17.

“I had mixed emotions, but at the same time as a professional golfer, it’s what I needed to do, and that’s how I prepared myself,” said Fujita, who is playing in the Masters for the first time. “I think I’m just happy that whatever I do and how I play will encourage people in Japan.”

The Japanese players weren’t the only Asian players to play well in the first round.

South Korea’s Y.E. Yang and K.J. Choi each shot a 5-under 67 to sit tied for third place, while Kyung-Tae Kim (a Masters rookie) is at 2 under, and Jin Jeong is at 1 over.

“It’s a very good course for Koreans, for us,” Yang said. “It’s atypical of a Korea course, so if you’re on a good day, I think that it’s to our advantage, really.”

This story was originally published April 8, 2011 at 12:00 AM.