U.S. Open Champ Controls His Emotions Despite Golf Ball Theft at DP World Tour Event

Who knew that missing the fairway could invite thieves to take advantage? Well before today, the scenario was unheard of, but Matt Fitzpatrick is the first golfer (at least in recorded history) to experience it. During the first round of the BMW PGA Championship, the Englishman sliced his drive on the 18th into a bush before the siren rang, signaling a suspension in play due to rain and lightning in the area. When he came back 90 minutes later to retrieve the ball, what happened was something he least expected.

In Fitzpatrick’s own words, “Dan [Parratt], my caddie asked: ‘What happens if someone goes sniffing around in the bushes and finds your ball, and decides to pocket it?’ I thought that was a great point, because there had to be a good chance of that happening. So we called over a referee and explained the situation and asked whether we should look for the ball then, rather than risk it being taken. He took us over to the crowd where we reckoned my ball would have landed. A few people there said they’d seen two young boys dive into the bushes and come out grinning with a golf ball. So we decided the balance of probability was that it was my ball, and that I would take a drop in that spot when we got back.” But the player was hardly deterred. In fact, he was more thankful than anything.

Notably, the 31-year-old went a few yards back into the penalty area and chose to continue from there. He picked up a bogey, but if the ball had been in the bush, it could have been worse. The 2022 U.S. Open winner said, “I made a six but if I’d had to play my provisional ball it could have been worse. So those two little thieves who made off with my ball probably saved me a shot.”

He eventually carded 6-under 66 in the first round. “It would have been better if they had chucked it back onto the fairway,” joked the Englishman later. Now he is placed at T4, two strokes shy of the leaders, Tom Vaillant and probable partner for the Ryder Cup, Ludvig Aberg. Fitzpatrick and Aberg are paired in the same group for the round. This has also led to speculation that they may be paired together for Bethpage, especially after Aberg’s post-round press conference.

Regardless, the biggest highlight of his round was this (un)fortunate incident. Of course, Fitzy is not complaining, and the two lucky boys haven’t come out to take the credit for saving the Englishman a stroke. But the game of golf has been subjected to a fair share of strange thefts.

From merchandise to golf bags, some theft stories of golf

In March 2025, a former Augusta National employee, Richard Brennan Globensky, was arrested for stealing merchandise and memorabilia worth millions. Some of the stolen items included Green Jackets given to Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan. He was eventually sentenced to a year in prison. Another annoying and hilarious situation was Hideki Matsuyama’s airport theft during the Paris Olympics. In 2024, Matsuyama, his caddie, and his coach had their bags stolen. Matsuyama’s wallet was taken, and his caddie and coach lost their passports, forcing him to participate at the St. Jude Championship without his regular caddie.

Back in 2021, Rory McIlroy encountered a bizarre incident at the Scottish Open as well. The Ulsterman was standing on the 10th tee, talking with his caddie. A spectator walked up to him and lifted a club. The first attempt was a failure, as McIlroy and his caddie looked at the entire situation in surprise. But the fan, determined to take McIlroy’s club, finally managed to pull one out and walked away.

Jon Rahm was also present in the scene. The Spaniard, equally baffled, tried to make sense of the situation. But eventually he decided not to confront as the person was grabbing a 6-iron. Eventually, the fan was ejected from the course, and McIlroy’s club returned to his bag. These are just a couple of instances of golf’s own blacklist of thieves. But what happened to Fitzpatrick is certainly one to go down in history as one of the most hilarious ones.