Former Open champ makes remarkable PGA Tour claim after watching Kizzire's strop

Former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia says he wiggled his way out of multiple fines on the PGA Tour during his pomp.

Calcavecchia made the claim after he watched Patton Kizzire's utterly hilarious outburst of anger during the first round of the 2025 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort. 

The 39-year-old pro came into the event having missed six consecutive cuts and, after missing a birdie putt at the Copperhead Course's par-3 15th, completely lost his temper. 

After missing his putt on the high side, Kizzire decided to dropkick his putter into the sky. 

Golf Channel analyst Gary Kock joked that he was perhaps auditioning for his career in the NFL while Brad Faxon chimed in: "That would have been a field goal. The extra point."

The golfer then decided to hole out with a wedge as his foot damaged the shaft of his flatstick. 

Kizzire later withdrew after playing eight holes of the tournament, citing a back issue. 

"He'll get fined," the 1989 Open Championship winner wrote on X. 

The 64-year-old added: "Then he’ll appeal claiming faulty putter and bad green. Or somebody was heckling him. I know this stuff. 19 fines myself and got outta of several."

Kizzire wasn't the only golfer to withdraw on day one. 

Charley Hoffman also had to pull out after eight holes after injuring his neck. 

After 18 holes, Nate Lashley, Jacob Bridgeman, Keith Mitchel, Stephan Jaeger and Ricky Castillo shared the lead on 4-under. 

European Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland are both inside the top-25. 

American stars Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele had mixed days.  

Spieth shot 1-over whilst Schauffele returned a card for a 1-under 70. 

Schauffele told reporters at the beginning of the week that his return from a rib injury is proving harder than he anticipated. 

The two-time major winner missed eight weeks of the 2025 season and is looking to get back to his best ahead of the 2025 Masters Tournament.