Hideki Matsuyama launches club into crowd at Sony Open as golf fans fume
Hideki Matsuyama sparked fury on social media after launching his driver into the crowd at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
The 32-year-old was lucky to avoid injuring fans when the club flew out of his hands at the start of the ninth hole. Mastuyama immediately rushed over to make sure that everybody was okay before playing on.
Fortunately, the driver hit a rope before it reached two women at the front of the crowd, ensuring it did not cause any serious damage.
Some fans on X (formerly Twitter) accused Matsuyama of intentionally letting go of his club due to frustration, urging him to be more careful before somebody gets hurt.
@Trumpwon2020S wrote: "This is getting old in a hurry, major disrespect for the game especially at his level. He needs to be penalised." @AngrishMusic added: "He’s always letting go of his club, it was inevitable it would clip someone eventually."
@tradergiantsfan said: "You know what, it's his fault. He keeps moving to the one arm release after his downswing. Did it last week almost in disgust of his drive."
@ChezBlack9 posted: "Getting a little tired of this s***. Half the time it hits the fairway. Grow up." @EdTreisJr had a similar view, adding: "Dumba**... those people are feet away from you, hold on to the damn club like an adult."
Matsuyama's errant tee shot nearly hit the boundary fence but he managed to recover in style. His next effort flew perfectly between a tiny gap in the trees, landing just short of the green, before a successful pitch and putt saw him register a birdie.
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Golfers have been known to occasionally launch their clubs in anger, which can sometimes end in tears for unsuspecting fans caught in the flight path.
One spectator required stitches after Kevin Stadler smashed his club into the ground in 2018, with the clubhead breaking off and striking the fan in the head.
Fellow golfer Shaun Michael, who was standing nearby, promptly took to social media to warn others about the importance of controlling their anger.
In a Facebook post which was later deleted, he wrote: "In a fit of anger [Stadler] slammed his club against the ground and the side of his foot which caused the club to break about six [inches] from the bottom.
"I had my head down but the clubhead flew behind me and hit a spectator to my right. It's been a while since I've seen so much blood."
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