Golfer Patton Kizzire was forced to withdraw from the Valspar Championship on Thursday just moments after he kicked his club in a fit of rage.
Kizzire suffered a back injury during his round, having earlier furiously punted his putter across the green in response to missing a putt.
Starting on the back nine at Innisbrook Resort, Kizzire recorded three bogeys over his first eight holes.
He then decided to call it a day at the tournament in Palm Harbor, Florida, citing a back problem.
Kizzire, 39, finished in 10th place at this tournament in 2023.
A three-time winner on the PGA Tour, Kizzire’s last victory came at the Procore Championship on September 15, 2024.
Golfer Patton Kizzire was forced to withdraw from an event after kicking his club in a fit of rage
Kizzire suffered a back injury, having punted his putter across the green after missing a putt
Starting on the back nine at Innisbrook Resort, Kizzire recorded three bogeys in eight holes
Former PGA Tour winners Keith Mitchel and Stephan Jaeger were among the five co-leaders when first-round play was suspended on Thursday.
Mitchell, Jaeger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo and Finland’s Sami Valimaki shot rounds of four-under-par 67. Three players were one off the pace: Ryan Fox of New Zealand, Nico Echavarria of Colombia and Nick Hardy.
Ten players had yet to finish their rounds when the horn blew due to darkness. They’ll finish their rounds Friday morning.
Billy Horschel and Sahith Theegala were notable names part of a large tie at two-under 69. Xander Schauffele and Norway’s Viktor Hovland each shot a one-under 70 as they work through recent issues in their games.
Justin Thomas posted a two-over 73, and Jordan Spieth was at three-over 74.
