The first-tee announcer at Pebble Beach added another classic to golf’s long list of name pronunciation mishaps, introducing Hideki Matsuyama as “Hideekee Matsumoola” before his second round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Matsuyama, currently ranked fifth in the world, took it in stride with a laugh. The announcer quickly apologized for the slip-up, but it’s already earned its place in the pantheon of memorable first-tee flubs.
These announcing mishaps have become something of an unintended tradition in professional golf. Some of the most notable name manglings over the years include:
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Hideki Matsuyama
264
64
$55,422,165
- Brooks Koepka getting the “Brooks Cupcake” treatment
- Jimmy Walker transformed into “Jimmy Fowler”
- Rickie Fowler blooming into “Rickie Flower”
- Jordan Spieth becoming “Justin Spieth”
- Jason Day having an identity crisis as “Jordan Day”
- Xander Schauffele served up as “Xander Soufflé”
- Luke Donald’s unexpected promotion to “Luke McDonald”
What makes these moments special is how they break the tension before a round. Most players, like Matsuyama, handle them with grace – a reminder that even at golf’s highest level, theres room for a good laugh.
The first tee can be nerve-wracking enough without having to wonder if your name will come out right. But these occasional slip-ups have become part of golf’s charm, giving players and fans alike something to smile about before the serious business begins.
