Matt Fitzpatrick Gains Unconventional Advantage During Rain-Interrupted BMW PGA Opener

Matt Fitzpatrick incurred a penalty drop after his ball was reportedly stolen during a weather delay at the BMW PGA Championship, allowing him to salvage a strong 66. The incident left him two shots behind co-leaders Ludvig Aberg and Tom Vaillant.

By Chris Posiano

September 12, 2025 at 2:01 AM

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England’s Matt Fitzpatrick found himself in an unexpected twist of fate during the first round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where a “stolen ball” incident may have inadvertently aided his scorecard. The US Open champion carded a six-under 66 to sit at -6, two strokes behind co-leaders Ludvig Aberg (Sweden) and Tom Vaillant (France), despite a temporary setback caused by a thunderstorm suspension.

Fitzpatrick’s ball went out of bounds on the 18th hole just as play was halted for over 90 minutes due to severe weather. Upon resumption, he claimed the original ball was stolen by spectators, allowing him to proceed with a penalty drop instead of a provisional shot. “If we’d had to find it, we probably wouldn’t have,” Fitzpatrick noted, adding that the move likely saved him at least one stroke. He finished with a bogey six but expressed a wry preference: “I’d have preferred them to chuck it back onto the fairway.”

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg emerged as a standout performer, firing a 65 highlighted by a 50-foot birdie putt on the 17th. Paired with Fitzpatrick in a nod to potential Ryder Cup pairings at Bethpage Black, Aberg praised the dynamic: “It’s easy to be around him. Today was one of those days where we both played well.” The duo’s strong start adds intrigue to Europe’s preparations for the biennial clash against the U.S.

The rain-soaked conditions disrupted play, forcing 30 golfers—including European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald—to complete their rounds Friday morning. South Africa’s Casey Jarvis surged to -7 with five consecutive birdies, while Fitzpatrick’s round featured eight gains offset by two bogeys. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, fresh off an Irish Open win, struggled to a 71 after finding water on the 18th, though compatriot Shane Lowry saved par with a clutch approach.

Other European hopefuls had contrasting fortunes. Justin Rose (71) and Viktor Hovland (71) joined Lowry in a tightly packed -5 group, while Tyrrell Hatton (69) and Robert MacIntyre (71) hinted at a fiery partnership. Tommy Fleetwood, celebrating his recent PGA Tour breakthrough, stumbled to a 73, and rookie Rasmus Hojgaard’s 74 included a disastrous double bogey—but ended memorably with an eagle after a chipped shot ricocheted off the flagstick into the hole.

The tournament’s chaotic start underscores the unpredictable nature of Wentworth’s West Course, with Aberg and Fitzpatrick’s resilience setting the tone ahead of the Ryder Cup showdown.