Kiwi golfer’s clubs stolen at NZ Open
The clubs of New Zealand golfer Ryan Chisnall were pinched following the NZ Open on Sunday and a reward is being offered for their return.
Chisnall, who finished 42nd equal at the tournament, was at the closing ceremony when the clubs were taken from the Champions Lounge at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown.
He posted about the theft on Facebook on Sunday, asking those who knew anything to come forward.
‘‘Unfortunately I’ve happened to have my golf clubs go missing from the NZ Open Champions Lounge during the closing ceremony earlier this evening,’’ he posted.
‘‘I’m hoping it’s just been a mix up and someone’s taken them by mistake. Ideally I would love to get them back.’’
His black Ping Hoofer bag was taken, containing a set of Ping iBlade irons, a Ping G410 driver, a Callaway Epic 3 wood and a new model Heppler Mallet putter, along with his car keys.
Chisnall, who played in the Australia Open in December while wearing a face mask, was among the 500-strong crowd at the closing ceremony of the NZ Open.
NZ Open tournament director Michael Glading is ‘‘totally appalled’’ by the theft and is offering a ‘‘small’ reward for those who help recover the rare clubs.
‘‘We feel really sorry for Ryan,’’ he said.
‘‘The clubs are his work tools, it’s his livelihood. It’s important [the clubs] are returned.’’
Glading thinks it’s either an ‘‘inebriated’’ mistake or ‘‘dishonest’’ act, but finding the thief via CCTV footage will be difficult as hundreds of people were leaving the venue with golf bags on Sunday.
He said it’s not uncommon for golfers to leave their bags in the lounge and have caddies or a third party collect them.
Security at the NZ Open will be reviewed ahead of the 2021 tournament.