Japanese Golfer Matsuyama Robbed in London

PGA Tour star Hideki Matsuyama recently revealed that he and his team fell victim to a theft while in London after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The incident occurred during a stopover in the UK as they were en route to the FedEx Cup Playoffs in Memphis. While Matsuyama's Olympic medal remained safe, his wallet was stolen, along with the passports of his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, and coach, Mikihito Kuromiya. This unfortunate event has forced the duo to return to Japan to have their documents reissued, complicating their travel plans. Matsuyama expressed concern about the likelihood of his team rejoining him in time for the tournament, stating, "There’s a chance they’ll make it, but we have to go into it thinking it’s close to zero." In light of the situation, he has enlisted Taiga Tabuchi as a substitute caddie. Matsuyama noted that Tabuchi is familiar with the game and can communicate effectively in English, allowing him to focus on his performance. Reflecting on his Olympic achievement, Matsuyama shared mixed feelings about his bronze medal, especially since he missed out on a medal in Tokyo. He appreciated the enthusiastic crowds in Paris, which contrasted with the absence of spectators during the Tokyo Games due to the pandemic. As he prepares for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Matsuyama aims to return to his roots in golf, stating, "I’m going to play golf as if I went back to the way I was before I had a coach."