Hideki Matsuyama is beginning the PGA Tour’s lucrative postseason without his caddie and coach after they fell victim to a robbery during a stopover in London following the Paris Olympics, according to Golf Digest Japan.
The magazine reported that Matsuyama’s wallet was stolen, but his Olympic bronze medal and passport were not taken.
However, Matsuyama’s caddie, Shota Hayato, and coach, Mikihito Kuromiya, were less fortunate. Their passports and visas were stolen, necessitating their return to Japan. They are currently working to expedite new documents in order to return to the United States.
Matsuyama, who secured a win at Riviera during the Genesis Invitational earlier this year, is currently ranked No. 8 in the FedEx Cup standings. He is guaranteed to advance through the first two playoff events to reach the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is set to begin on Thursday, followed by the BMW Championship near Denver, before the Tour Championship.
Matsuyama commented to the magazine that there is a slim chance his caddie and coach will make it to Atlanta, stating, “but we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero.”
Taiga Tabuchi, who caddied for Ryo Hisatsune earlier this year, will replace Hayato for Matsuyama at the TPC Southwind this week.
