Patton Kizzire was one of the headliners at the Valspar Championship, when he took out his frustration by kicking his putter like a football punter. His display was so violent that the putter traveled 20 yards and broke, leaving Kizzire to finish the hole by putting with a wedge.
However, tempers have cooled and Kizzire has apparently been able to reflect on his outburst. In fact, the player sent a message to fans via an Instagram post apologizing for his behavior.
“Hey, everybody, Patton Kizzire,” he said. “I just wanted to address the situation at the Valspar Championship last week. I wasn’t feeling well and I certainly lost my cool. It wasn’t my punt — my putter’s fault. Punter. Putter.”
“It wasn’t my putter’s fault. I just lost my cool, and it’s unacceptable. I’m looking forward to being a better version of myself and I appreciate you guys understanding.”
Kizzire could be fined for his outburst if the PGA Tour enforces its rules on violent behavior. There is no doubt that his Instagram post is another step in the direction of showing remorse, which never hurts in a defense in cases like this.
The incident in question occurred on the 16th hole of the Copperhead Course, home of the Valspar Championship. The 39-year-old had started on the 10th hole and by the 15th had made two bogeys with no birdies, showing serious problems with his putting.
On the 16th, his putter failed him again as he missed a seven-foot putt for par. At that point, all of Patton Kizzire’s frustration came out and he took it out on his putter, kicking it with his right foot and sending it to the edge of the green.
The moment went viral after the round, when it was replayed as part of the day’s recap.
Although it was the most famous outburst of the event, it wasn’t the only one. Sahith Theegala also did his own thing during the Valspar Championship, angrily throwing a club after a bad tee shot.
Another who expressed his frustration with a club in his hand was Adam Hadwin, who hit a wedge to the ground after a bad shot, so unlucky that his shot accidentally hit a sprinkler head, unleashing a river of water that put the course maintenance staff on high alert.
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