Hideki Matsuyama narrowly avoids flying-driver accident in first round of Sony Open

Hideki Matsuyama arrived at this week’s Sony Open fresh off a historic win at the season-opening Sentry, looking to start the season with back-to-back wins in Hawaii.

But the 32-year-old’s week got off to an inauspicious start Thursday when he hit an errant tee shot on the ninth hole. Matsuyama lost the grip on his driver during his follow-through and launched it toward the patrons on the rope line.

Fortunately for the former Masters champion, the wayward club hit the rope and missed the spectators.

The near-disaster didn’t faze Matsuyama on the 517-yard Par 5.

The off-line tee shot landed near the boundary fence to the left, but that wasn’t an issue for Matsuyama. He escaped danger and left his second shot just short of the green. A pitch and putt allowed him to leave the hole with a birdie en route to a three-under-par 67.

Matsuyama’s 67 was good enough to put him in a tie for 26th after Day 1. He’s currently three shots back of Denny McCarthy, Harry Hall, Eric Cole, Adam Schenk, Tom Hoge, and Paul Peterson. Top amateur Luke Clanton, who can secure his Tour card with a top-five finish this week, is five shots back at one under.

The Japanese star will get his Friday round started at 12:50 p.m. ET alongside Russell Henley (four under) and Sahith Theegala (three under).