Golfing Mishap: Golfer's Frustration Leads to Club-Laden Tree

Joost Luiten, the Dutch golfer, was having a forgettable Sunday at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Already facing a series of misfortunes, he added another when his drive from the ninth tee veered left and landed in a bunker. But that was just the beginning of his troubles.

In the final round, after making a bogey on the previous hole, the 37-year-old golfer's frustrations reached a tipping point. He angrily threw his uncooperative driver towards a tree located near the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course. Unfortunately, the driver got stuck between the branches above his head. In an attempt to dislodge the first club, Luiten threw two more clubs in the same direction. Meanwhile, his caddie used a fallen branch to mimic the golfer's actions, while a volunteer climbed up the tree in hopes of shaking the clubs loose.

The DP World Tour posted on its X account, describing Luiten's failed attempts to resolve the tree trouble.

Luiten dropped a stroke at the hole, yet received assistance at the 10th tee when a volunteer managed to retrieve his clubs. His wife Melanie-Jane, who is eight months pregnant with their first child, personally delivered them to him.

Subsequently, Luiten achieved three consecutive birdies, however, it proved insufficient in the end. Finishing with a final round score of one-over 73, he concluded the tournament at three-over overall, securing 48th place out of the 50-player field.

Luiten expressed his frustration to reporters, describing a week where nothing seemed to go his way. He recounted losing control and throwing his driver, which ended up getting lodged in a tree. Fortunately, a volunteer retrieved the club, preventing what would have been a comical finish with only 11 clubs remaining.

Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard clinched the title with an impressive final round score of eight-under 64, securing his third DP World Tour win. His remarkable streak of five consecutive birdies on the back nine propelled him to victory.

Hojgaard celebrates with the trophy.

Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Hojgaard told reporters that it meant a great deal to him as it was the most satisfying victory. The 22-year-old concluded the tournament with a remarkable score of 21-under, securing a two-shot lead over his fellow Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, along with England's Matt Wallace.