Sign up for our daily newsletter

Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.

On Monday, Michael Buttacavoli was preparing to qualify for the US Open. But there was one issue: he didn’t have any clubs to play with.

The 29-year old was forced to pull out of the US Open sectional qualifier after he lost his clubs on an overnight American Airlines flight from Ecuador to Miami.

Buttacavoli, who plays on the PGA Latinoamerica Tour, had just finished T51 at the Quito Open on Sunday. He was bidding to make it to Jupiter, Florida, in a tight window for the chance to tee it up at Erin Hills in less than two weeks’ time.

He told Golf Digest: “I was met with supportive parents with food in the car and stuff I needed. My brother was going to caddie for me. I figured I’d get there, have a 30-40-minute warm-up, and go. My bag just never came.”

Buttacavoli showed his disappointment in a series of tweets to American Airlines:

Buttacavoli could have had the option to use rented clubs, but he said it was too late with the time he had wasted at the airport, he would likely miss his tee time.

Even if he did, the odds would have been stacked against him to get one of the three available spots from 49 players who were in the qualifier.

On Monday night, the ordeal was over for Buttacavoli as he got his clubs back. He remains upbeat on his way to this week’s Puerto Plata DR Open.

He added: “With the bad luck comes good luck. So hopefully because of this, I’ll start getting some more putts to drop.”

topics

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses