MATT FITZPATRICK says “two little thieves” who pinched his ball on the 18th at Wentworth did him a big favour.
The former US Open champion carved his final tee shot into trees and hit a provisional ball just before the siren signalled a 90-minute thunderstorm delay.
Shutterstock EditorialMatt Fitzpatrick was in action at Wentworth[/caption]
Caddie Daniel Parratt questioned if they should wait until after the break to search for the first ball.
And Fitzpatrick, 31, quickly called for a ruling from the BMW PGA Championship officials.
He said: “When the siren went, Dan said, ‘What happens if someone goes sniffing around, finds your ball and decides to pocket it’.
“That was a great point as there had to be a good chance of that happening.
“So we asked a referee whether we should look for the ball then, rather than risk it being taken.
“He took us over to the crowd where we thought my ball landed. A few people saw two young boys dive into the bushes and come out grinning with a golf ball.
“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.”
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The Sheffield star broke into a grin as he suggested those lads potentially did him a favour. And he joked: “It would’ve been better if they’d thrown it on the fairway!”
Fitzpatrick hit a six-under-par 66 — continuing the hot streak that earned him a Ryder Cup wildcard — and he looks set to arrive at Bethpage oozing confidence.
He added: “I played great apart from that one wild drive. This is an event every English golfer wants to win and I’m no different.”
Fitzpatrick was a couple of shots behind playing partner and Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg.
The Swede matched the 64 shot by fellow leader Tom Vaillant, who hit the first shot of the tournament at 6.40am.
Rory McIlroy managed to finish in near-darkness — but not the way he would have wanted.
He put his second shot in the water on 18 and a bogey six saw him sign for a 69.
Playing partner Shane Lowry hit five birdies in the last seven holes for a 67 — matching the score of another Ryder Cup star, Justin Rose.
Shutterstock EditorialRory McIlroy finished in near darkness[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
