Professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama has revealed that he and his team were victims of theft during their recent travel from Paris, France, to Memphis, Tennessee, for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. According to a report by Golf Digest Japan, Matsuyama lost his wallet during a layover in London, while his caddie, Shota Hayato, and coach, Mikihito Kuromiya, had their passports and visas stolen.

The incident occurred following Matsuyama's successful participation in the Olympic Games, where he secured a bronze medal. Despite the setback, Matsuyama managed to make it to Memphis for the PGA Tour's first playoff event. However, his caddie and coach were left stranded, requiring them to travel back to Japan to request expedited travel documents.

The theft has cast doubt over their ability to participate in next week's BMW Championship in Colorado. Matsuyama expressed uncertainty about their chances of making it, 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 these circumstances, Matsuyama has enlisted the services of Taiga Tabuchi, who usually works as a caddie for Ryo Hisatune, as his replacement for this week's tournament at TPC Southwind. The golfer expressed his determination to continue playing despite the challenges, stating, "I'm going to play golf as if I went back to the way I was before I had a coach. I feel like all the responsibility is on me."

Despite the theft of his wallet and the passports of his caddie and coach, Matsuyama confirmed that he still has possession of his Olympic bronze medal. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes during their travels and the importance of securing their personal belongings and documents.

As the FedExCup points leader, Matsuyama remains focused on his performance in the upcoming tournaments. His resilience and determination in overcoming these unexpected obstacles are commendable and highlight his dedication to the sport.