Stunned Masters patron has beer wiped out by wayward Matt Fitzpatrick drive

Matt Fitzpatrick faced an awkward encounter after a wayward tee shot during his Masters opening round.

The 2022 US Open champion sent his ball off to the right on par four third hole on Thursday.

Getty

Fitzpatrick had started with back-to-back pars at Augusta National despite struggling off the tee at first.

His woes continued on the third at the expense of a patron watching on from the side of the fairway.

Fitzpatrick hits patron’s beer

The 31-year-old’s effort veered right before hitting the patron’s beer, knocking the drink out of their hand.

They also appeared to lose some crisps after finding themselves in the way of Fitzpatrick’s ball.

Following the contact, the patron could be seen staring at the floor in bemusement before looking back towards the tee box.

It prompted a potentially awkward encounter as Fitzpatrick arrived at his ball to play his second shot.

The Ryder Cup star was unable to find the green as his effort landed short.

However, his third did find the target, giving Fitzpatrick the chance to putt for par.

Although his first shot on the green ended up agonisingly short, he tapped in for a bogey to move to one-over-par for the day.

It would be the only shot Fitzpatrick dropped during his opening eight holes.

Sky Sports

He followed it up with five consecutive pars to follow those on the first two holes of the round.

Fitzpatrick at the Masters

Fitzpatrick is making his 12th appearance at the Masters this year and is one of the contenders for the green jacket at Augusta.

His best finish at the tournament came in 2016, when he finished tied-seventh.

Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick has not missed the cut since his debut as an amateur back in 2014.

Ahead of this year’s Masters, he claimed a third PGA Tour victory at last month’s Valspar Championship.

For his opening round, Fitzpatrick has been paired with fellow former major champions Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau.

Getty

After eight holes, he finds himself six shots adrift of leader Patrick Reed.

The 2018 Masters champion eagled the par five eighth hole on his way to five-under-par through nine.