PGA Tour star robbed after winning Paris Olympics medal and faces caddie chaos
PGA Tour star robbed after winning Paris Olympics medal and faces caddie chaos
Hideki Matsuyama, his caddie Shota Hayafuji and golf coach Mikihito Kuromiya had items stolen during a stay in the UK after the Japanese hero triumphed in the Olympics
Hideki Matsuyama’s joy after earning the bronze medal at the Olympic Games was quickly dashed on a visit to London
PGA Tour star Hideki Matsuyama has shockingly disclosed that he and his team were targets of a theft while in London after clinching the bronze medal at the golf event at the Paris Olympics.
The 32-year-old, who was basking in glory following his third-place finish at Le Golf National, faced an unexpected setback when thieves swiped valuables from him, his caddie Shota Hayafuji, and his golf coach Mikihito Kuromiya whilst they were staying in the capital after their French escapade.
Golf Digest Japan reported that prior to the unfortunate event, Matsuyama along with his crew had made their way to the UK, pausing there before jetting off to Memphis, Tennessee. However, the 2021 Masters victor is now set to hit the FedEx St Jude Championship at TPC Southwind minus his trusted caddie and coach.
It’s emerged that thieves stole passports belonging to the pair, as well as Matsuyama’s wallet. Thankfully, his precious Olympic bronze medal was not taken.
Following the ordeal, Hayafuji and Kuromiya rushed back to Japan in a bid to secure new travel documents and visas. Reflecting on the turmoil caused by the robbery, Matsuyama confessed that counting on his regular squad for support during the FedEx Cup Playoffs looks bleak.
He admitted: “There’s a chance they’ll make it, but we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero.”
The golf ace has had to draft in a backup plan for his stint at TPC Southwind, revealing that Taiga Tabuchi will be stepping in as his caddie. He shared: “I’m glad he accepted. He’s worked with Hisatsugu [Ryo] this year, so I think he knows the ropes, and he can speak English, so I can rely on him.
“I’m going to play golf as if I went back to the way I was before I had a coach. I feel like all the responsibility is on me,” he added, maintaining a positive outlook despite the changes. “I’m looking forward to that for the first time in a while. I want to pass on to him (Tabuchi) what I’ve cultivated with Shota on the course.”
