Hideki Matsuyama robbed in airport on way to PGA Tour event after Olympics
Hideki Matsuyama and his team were robbed in London after the Japanese pro golfer won bronze at the Paris Olympics, as reported by Golf Digest Japan and confirmed by Golf Channel.
Matsuyama’s wallet reportedly was stolen, along with passports belonging to his caddie Shota Hayato and coach Mikihito Kuromiya while the group made a stop in London on their way to the United States to compete in the FedEx St Jude Championship beginning Thursday.
Matsuyama’s bronze medal, won at Le Golf National at the Summer Games on Aug. 4, was not taken.
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan during the Pro-Am prior to the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 14, 2024 in Memphis, Tenn.Getty Images
His caddy and coach were forced to return to Japan, where they are having their passports and visas reissued — and likely won’t make it to TPC Southwind.
“There’s a chance they’ll make it, but we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero,” Matsuyama said, per Golf Digest Japan.
On Wednesday, the 32-year-old pro was seen on the course in Memphis during the Pro-Am prior to the FedEx St. Jude Championship
The earliest Kuromiya and Hayato will be able to be travel to the U.S. will be in two weeks, during the week of the Tour Championship at East Lake, taking place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.
(L-R) Gold medalist, Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) Silver medalist, Tommy Fleetwood of (Great Britain) and Bronze medalist, Hideki Matsuyama of (Japan) pose on the podium during the Men’s Individual Stroke Play medal ceremony at the Paris Olympics at Le Golf National on Aug. 4, 2024 in Paris, France.Getty Images
Taiga Tabuchi, who backed up Hisatsugu Ryo this spring, will serve as a substitute caddie for Matsuyama.
“I’m going to play golf as if I went back to the way I was before I had a coach,” Matsuyama said, per Golf Digest Japan. “I feel like all the responsibility is on me.
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan during the Pro-Am prior to the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind on August 14, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee.Getty Images
“I’m looking forward to that for the first time in a while. I want to pass on to him (caddie Tabuchi) what I’ve cultivated with Shota (Hayato) on the course.”
Matsuyama won the Genesis Invitational in February, which marked his first tour victory in two years.
The 2021 Masters champ finished the regular season last week ranked eighth in the standings.
Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler won gold in the men’s individual stroke play event in Paris, and Tommy Fleetwood of Team Great Britain secured silver.
