Hideki Matsuyama narrowly avoided a mishap on Thursday during the Sony Open in Hawaii.
While playing the ninth hole, Matsuyama’s tee shot was less than ideal, but the real trouble came when he lost control of his driver on the follow-through, sending it flying into the crowd.
Fortunately, the driver hit a rope barrier before reaching two spectators at the front.
Despite the shaky start, Matsuyama managed to recover. His second shot landed near the green after almost hitting the boundary fence on the 517-yard par 5 hole. With a chip and a putt, he secured a birdie.
Professional golfers like Matsuyama often face unexpected challenges on the course.
This incident foreshadowed a strong performance by Matsuyama on the back nine, leading to a 3-under 67 finish and a tie for 26th place in the tournament.