Matt Fitzpatrick believes he received a helping hand from ‘two little thieves’ who stole his ball at the BMW PGA Championship.
The Englishman was just a shot off the lead at seven-under-par when he hit his tee shot into the trees on the 18th hole at Wentworth.
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Matt Fitzpatrick is targeting an 11th tournament win at this week’s BMW PGA ChampionshipCredit: AFP
After hitting a provisional to sit three-off-the-tee, a siren then signalled a 90-minute thunderstorm delay.
This prompted Fitzpatrick’s caddie, Dan Parratt, to raise some concerns, who insisted they search for his initial shot first.
The 31-year-old golf star quickly called for a ruling from the tournament officials, as he and Parratt envisioned a problem.
He had been told two children had been seen fleeing with a ball, prompting the referee to make a judgement call.
Fitzpatrick then allowed to take a penalty drop when play resumed, rather than playing his provisional ball.
It allowed the 2022 US Open to escape with a bogey-six instead of a likely seven, as he ended the day on a six-under-par 66.
And Fitzpatrick later admitted he was grateful for the interference from the children, as he explained the sequence of events.
He said: “When the siren went, Dan, my caddie said, ‘What happens if someone goes sniffing around in the bushes and finds your ball, and decides to pocket it?’
“I thought that was a great point – I didn’t even think about it – because there had to be a good chance of that happening.
“So we called over a referee and explained the situation, and asked whether we should look for the ball then, rather than risk it being taken.
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Fitzpatrick’s caddie, Dan Parratt, was responsible for a rather fortunate final holeCredit: Getty
“He took us over to the crowd where we reckoned my ball would have landed, and a few people there said they’d seen two young boys dive into the bushes, and come out grinning with a golf ball.
“Obviously when you see two guys run in there and run after it and then scurry off, it is quite telling.”
Fitzpatrick then smiled as he suggested he had got away with one thanks to the kids.
He continued: “So, we decided the balance of probability was that it was my ball — and that I’d take a drop in that spot when we got back.
“I still made a bogey six but if I’d had to play my provisional ball, it could have been worse.
“So those two little thieves probably saved me a shot! Although it would’ve been better if they’d thrown it on the fairway!”
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Fitzpatrick has featured in three Ryder Cup campaigns, and has been on the winning side onceCredit: Getty
Fitzpatrick’s stroke of good fortune rounded off a strong opening round, which saw him continue his fine summer form.
His effort left him two shy of Ryder Cup teammate and playing partner Ludvig Aberg, who is tied for the lead with France’s Tom Vaillaint.
The joint leaders carded a round of eight-under-64, while Aberg and Fitzpatrick’s partnership provided an early hint as to captain Luke Donald’s plans for the upcoming Ryder Cup.
There are now just two weeks to go until the hotly-anticipated showdown between Europe and the USA at Bethpage Black.
Fitzpatrick was one of captain Luke Donald’s wildcard picks, as Europe look to make it back-to-back titles after victory in Rome in 2023.