'Crossed the line': Masters player sorry for golf bag meltdown

American golfer Billy Horschel has apologised after his meltdown during the final round of the U.S. Masters went viral earlier this week.

Footage of the frustrated Horschel repeatedly slamming his clubs into his bag after closing out the tournament with a four-over par 76 was not what the 34-year wanted the world to see.

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A day after Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama became the first Asian player to win the Masters, Horschel took to Twitter to apologise for the meltdown.

“I am and have always been a fiery competitor. Unfortunately, the fire inside me sometimes runs hot when I’m not getting the most out of my game,” he wrote.

“This leads to some instances where my conduct is not what I wish to show, especially as a role model to the younger generation.

“I apologise to Augusta National, the Members of the Club and to the patrons for any conduct that may have crossed the line.

"I am always trying to improve and do better; as a golfer, husband, father, or as a human being. Thank you The Masters for a memorable week!”

His final round theatrics capped off what was a somewhat eventful couple of days at Augusta for the Florida native, after he walked away smiling after slipping down a bank during his third round a day earlier.

Horschel managed to save par after he slipped barefoot down an embankment as he tried to salvage his ball, which had landed near a water hazard.

Matsuyama toast of Japan after Masters win

Hideki Matsuyama tapped in the winning putt at the Masters and unleashed the heavy burden of a nation piled on his shoulders.

Already an idol in Japan, now he's an immortal.

The magnitude of becoming the first male player from his country to capture one of golf's major championships had brought tears to his eyes even before he hit his greenside bunker shot on the final hole.

A decade after visiting Butler Cabin to receive the low amateur trophy, the 29-year-old Matsuyama survived some late jitters to post a one-over 73 and claim a one-shot victory at Augusta National.

He joined a select group of Cary Middlecoff, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia as players to win both low amateur and the green jacket at the Masters.

"I can't imagine what it's going to be like, but what a thrill and honour it will be for me to take the green jacket back to Japan. I'm really looking forward to it," Matsuyama said.

"Up until now, we haven't had a major champion in Japan, and maybe a lot of golfers or younger golfers, too, thought, well, maybe that's an impossibility.

"But with me doing it, hopefully that will set an example for them that it is possible and that, if they set their mind to it, they can do it, too."

Ultimately Matsuyama finished at 10-under 278 with tournament rookie Will Zalatoris second after a two-under 70.

Jordan Spieth (70) sealed his fifth top-five at Augusta with a share of third alongside Xander Schauffele (72) at seven under.

With AAP

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