Golf pro Patton Kizzire has apologized after losing his cool and launching his putter 20 feet into the air during last week’s Valspar Championship.
The three-time PGA Tour winner posted a heartfelt video on Instagram explaining his actions at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort.
“I wasn’t feeling well and I certainly lost my cool,” Kizzire said. “It wasn’t my putter’s fault… it’s unacceptable. I’m looking forward to being a better version of myself.”
The incident happened after he missed a par putt on the 15th hole. His putter bent and broke from the force of the kick, leading TV analyst Gary Koch to joke: “Auditioning maybe for his NFL career?”
Kizzire ended up withdrawing from the tournament with a back injury. It was his sixth missed cut in eight starts this season.
But he wasn’t the only pro having a rough day at the final Florida tournament of the season.
The very next day, rising star Sahith Theegala threw his club after a bad tee shot on the par-3 fourth hole.
And in perhaps the most memorable meltdown, former champion Adam Hadwin accidentally broke a sprinkler system after slamming his wedge into the ground near the 10th hole. The hit sent water spraying everywhere, creating a viral moment viewed by millions online.
The Canadian pro was hovering around the cut line when he hit a poor shot, leading to his frustrated outburst. It’s still unclear if he faced any penalties for damaging the course.
The string of incidents at Valspar highlighted the intense pressure pros face, even in regular tour events. A single missed putt or bad shot can mean the difference between making the cut and heading home early – and sometimes emotions just boil over.
Kizzire, currently ranked 134th in the world, seems determined to learn from the experience. As he noted in his Instagram caption: “I’ll be better from it. Thank you.”
