Matsuyama Faces Challenges Ahead of PGA Tour Playoffs After Robbery Incident
- Hideki Matsuyama's caddie had his passport stolen after Olympics.
- The caddie has returned to Japan, leaving Matsuyama to begin the FedEx Cup playoffs without him.
- Matsuyama won an Olympic bronze medal.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama is set to begin the PGA Tour postseason without his caddie and coach due to a recent robbery incident in London. According to Golf Digest Japan, Matsuyama's wallet was stolen during a layover after the Paris Olympics, but he managed to retain his Olympic bronze medal and passport. In contrast, his caddie, Shota Hayato, and coach, Mikihito Kuromiya, were not as fortunate, losing their passports and visas in the theft. As a result of the robbery, Hayato and Kuromiya have returned to Japan to expedite the process of obtaining new travel documents, which may hinder their ability to rejoin Matsuyama in the United States. Despite these setbacks, Matsuyama remains focused on the upcoming FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he is currently ranked No. 8 in the FedEx Cup standings. His performance this season includes a victory at the Genesis Invitational held at Riviera. The FedEx St. Jude Championship kicks off Thursday, followed by the BMW Championship in Denver, leading up to the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta. Matsuyama expressed cautious optimism about his team’s chances of making it to Atlanta, stating, “we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero.” In the interim, Taiga Tabuchi, who previously caddied for Ryo Hisatsune, will step in to assist Matsuyama at TPC Southwind this week.