Fan Jumps Into Water To Retrieve Player's Golf Club At PGA Championship

Although it's unclear as to how Adam Hadwin's club ended up in the drink, the Canadian did manage to get it back thanks to a very eager fan

Adam Hadwin hits a tee shot with his driver, whilst a fan jumps in the water
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Friday of the PGA Championship was an eventful and somber day, following the tragic death of a vendor worker outside the gates of Valhalla and the arrest of World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who was detained by police following an apparent misunderstanding regarding traffic flow as he made his way towards Valhalla.

Despite this, Scheffler did make it to the course in time to tee off, with the American carding an incredible five-under 66. However, it wasn't the only bit of drama that happened in Kentucky on Friday, albeit slightly less so than the best golfer on the planet being arrested, as a semi-naked fan helped retrieve a golf club during the tail-end of the second round.

Although it's unclear as to how the club ended up in the pond, a video was posted to X showing a near-naked spectator jumping into the water to retrieve a golf club that somehow made it's way in there.

In the original video, it was claimed that it was Corey Conners' club but, after closer inspection, it appears to belong to his Canadian counterpart, Adam Hadwin, with Hadwin's wife, Jessica, all but confirming it as she posted a number of humorous tweets following the release of the footage.

As mentioned, we can't confirm how the club ended up in the lake, or indeed which hole it actually occurred on. What we do know is that Hadwin has previous of throwing clubs into water, with the 36-year-old hurling his club into the lake in disgust during the 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

If we were to guess where it happened, we would likely predict that it occurred at the par 5 seventh at Valhalla. At the time, Hadwin was four-under for the tournament and one-under for his second round following three birdies and two bogeys. However, his second from the fairway found the drink at the par 5, with the Canadian eventually making bogey.

Carding a one-over-par second round, he did make it into the weekend, with Hadwin 10 shots back of leader, Xander Schauffele, who sits at 12-under following rounds of 62 and 68.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x