3<\/p>\n Matt Fitzpatrick is targeting an 11th tournament win at this week’s BMW PGA ChampionshipCredit: AFP<\/p>\n After hitting a provisional to sit three-off-the-tee, a siren then signalled a 90-minute thunderstorm delay.<\/p>\n This prompted Fitzpatrick’s caddie, Dan Parratt, to raise some concerns, who insisted they search for his initial shot first.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old golf star quickly called for a ruling from the tournament officials, as he and Parratt envisioned a problem.<\/p>\n He had been told two children had been seen fleeing with a ball, prompting the referee to make a judgement call.<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick then allowed to take a penalty drop when play resumed, rather than playing his provisional ball.<\/p>\n It allowed the 2022 US Open to escape with a bogey-six instead of a likely seven, as he ended the day on a six-under-par 66.<\/p>\n And Fitzpatrick later admitted he was grateful for the interference from the children, as he explained the sequence of events.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWhen the siren went, Dan, my caddie said, ‘What happens if someone goes sniffing around in the bushes and finds your ball, and decides to pocket it?’<\/p>\n “I thought that was a great point – I didn\u2019t even think about it – because there had to be a good chance of that happening. <\/p>\n “So we called over a referee and explained the situation, and asked whether we should look for the ball then, rather than risk it being taken.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick’s caddie, Dan Parratt, was responsible for a rather fortunate final holeCredit: Getty<\/p>\n \u201cHe took us over to the crowd where we reckoned my ball would have landed, and a few people there said they\u2019d seen two young boys dive into the bushes, and come out grinning with a\u00a0golf\u00a0ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Obviously when you see two guys run in there and run after it and then scurry off, it is quite telling.”<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick then smiled as he suggested he had got away with one thanks to the kids.<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cSo, we decided the balance of probability was that it was my ball \u2014 and that I\u2019d take a drop in that spot when we got back.<\/p>\n \u201cI still made a bogey six but\u00a0if I\u2019d had to play my provisional ball, it could have been worse. <\/p>\n “So those two little thieves\u00a0probably saved me a shot! Although it would\u2019ve been better if they\u2019d thrown it on the fairway!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/englands-matt-fitzpatrick-plays-shot-1022517175.jpg\")
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