Hideki Matsuyama Without Caddie For FedEx Cup Playoffs After Passports Stolen
The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, his coach, and his caddie all had items taken during a stopover in London


Hideki Matsuyama, his caddie Shota Hayafuji and coach Mikihito Kuromiya were all victims of a robbery in London last week.
The Japanese group were in the English capital for a brief stopover following the Paris 2024 Olympic games - where Matsuyama claimed bronze - and were due to fly over to America for the upcoming FedEx Cup Playoffs.
However, while they were in London, Matsuyama had his wallet stolen and both Hayafuji and Kuromiya were robbed of their passports. The 2021 Masters champion did not have his bronze medal taken, thankfully, and was seen posing with it once he arrived in the US.
As a result of the theft, Matsuyama's caddie and coach were forced to return to Japan in order to have their passports and visas reissued. To add insult to what is already a traumatic situation, the very earliest they will be able to make it out to the United States of America is just before the Tour Championship in two week's time.
Speaking to Golf Digest Japan, Matsuyama said: "There's a chance they'll make it, but we have to go into [the FedEx Cup Playoffs] thinking it's close to zero."
Hayafuji (left) and Matsuyama
Without Hayafuji at his side, the 32-year-old will have Taiga Tabuchi at his side for the Playoffs, the caddie who recently worked with PGA Tour and DP World Tour pro, Ryo Hisatsune.
Matsuyama express his gratitude to Tabuchi and says he plans to take on all of the responsibility for his game over the next fortnight.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The Japanese pro said: "I'm glad he accepted. He's worked with Hisatsune this year, so I think he knows the ropes, and he can speak English, so I can rely on him.
"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. I'm looking forward to that for the first time in a while. I want to pass on to [Tabuchi] what I've cultivated with Shota [Hayafuji] on the course."
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
Matsuyama begins his Playoff campaign at the FedEx St Jude Championship - hosted by TPC Southwind - this week before likely moving on to the BMW Championship at Castle Pines via the top-50 in the standings days later.
The former World No.2 will hope to see both his long-standing caddie and coach return ahead of the Tour Championship at East Lake towards the end of the month, with the current FedEx Cup No.8 aiming to make up for last season's relative failure - it was the first time in his career that Matsuyama had failed to finish inside the top-30 at play for the FedEx Cup title.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Who Is Bud Cauley's Wife?
PGA Tour star Bud Cauley has been married to wife Kristi since 2021 - get to know her better here
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published
-
J.J. Spaun Involved In Drop Drama While In Contention At The Players Championship
Playing the ninth hole at TPC Sawgrass, the American received a huge slice of luck via a double drop at the par 5, with the move leading to a birdie
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How A Strong Finish At The Players Championship Will Mean This Professional May Retain His PGA Tour Card
Bud Cauley is needing to finish in, or around, the top 5 at TPC Sawgrass to keep his PGA Tour playing rights for 2025, with the American currently playing on a major medical extension
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Many Monday Finishes Have There Been At The Players Championship?
The Players Championship is the PGA Tour's flagship event and, throughout its history, there have been eight Monday finishes, with the last being in 2022
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The Players Championship
The Players Championship provides players with a huge tournament purse and it also means the caddies receive a handy payday as well
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The Players Championship Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy And JJ Spaun Set For Monday Playoff After Incredible Back-Nine Drama At TPC Sawgrass
The Players Championship will conclude on Monday with a three-hole aggregate playoff between Rory McIlroy and JJ Spaun at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
The Players Championship Tee Times - Round Four
J.J Spaun, Bud Cauley and Lucas Glover are the final group as for Sunday's deciding round at TPC Sawgrass
By Mike Hall Published
-
Final Round Tee Times For The Players Championship Moved Up Due to Storm Forecast
The final round of the PGA Tour's flagship event will see everyone tee it up earlier than expected, and in a period of a little over two hours, in a bid to ensure a Sunday finish
By Mike Hall Published