In an echo of the past, golf icon Hideki Matsuyama is bestowed the same honor once given to the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Thirty-two years after the creation of the Lincoln Town Car Jack Nicklaus Edition, Matsuyama now stands as the inspiration behind an exclusive automobile masterpiece, the Lexus LX700h Hideki Matsuyama Edition.
Flashing back to the 1993 Lincoln Town Car Jack Nicklaus Edition, an ode to “The Golden Bear,” we find a car that embodied the legacy of Nicklaus. A mere 7,700 units were crafted, and one such model, despite its age and the decade it spent idle, still boasts its original interior, adorned with white leather seats and green trims. To the astonishment of car rebuild expert Randy Shear, the engine sprung to life at first attempt, a testament to the enduring power of the Nicklaus legacy.
Fast forward to the present day, and we see the torch passed to Matsuyama, a titan on the golf green. The exclusive Lexus LX700h Hideki Matsuyama Edition, much like the Nicklaus Edition, is a head-turner. Dressed in a unique Manganese Luster paint job handpicked by Matsuyama himself, the car is a tribute to the Japanese golfer’s exceptional talent.
Further enhancing its exclusivity, the LX700h features 22-inch black forged alloy wheels, a sumptuous white semi-aniline leather interior with yellow stitching, a replica of Matsuyama’s golf bag, and a high-end Mark Levinson audio system. Under the hood, a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine coupled with an electric motor/generator powers the car, delivering a combined 457 hp. With a price tag of ¥17,000,000 ($114,900), this model is a luxury statement, but one that golf or car enthusiasts will find hard to resist.
The bond between golfers and cars runs deeper than mere admiration. Take the case of Maverick McNealy, whose ties to the auto industry span generations. McNealy’s grandfather, Raymond William McNealy Jr., once held the position of vice chairman at American Motors. Furthermore, McNealy’s father, Scott, was so enamored by cars that he named his son after the Ford Maverick sedan.
Maverick McNealy’s automotive passion manifests in his lifelong commitment to Ford. His car history includes only two models, both Fords – a 2011 Explorer passed down to him in college and a 2021 Explorer SC he purchased after securing his PGA Tour card. Now, as a Ford ambassador, McNealy will drive selected Ford models at PGA Tour stops and carry a customized Ford Maverick yardage book. The golfer’s passion for Fords is evident: “I’ve always driven Fords, my whole family drives Fords, and it’s really cool now to be a Ford ambassador,” McNealy said.
The synergy between golf and cars is undeniable. Whether it’s through special edition models or brand endorsements, the love affair continues. The question now is, what’s your take on this intriguing connection?