Trying to put the harrowing experience of competing without his regular caddie and coach behind him, Hideki Matsuyama got off to a strong start in the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday.

The Japanese star, who won the bronze medal at the Olympic golf tournament two weeks ago, had to go through a difficult time after leaving Paris: he was robbed in London before traveling to the USA for the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Matsuyama said after his round at TPC Southwind that equipment was stolen by thieves while he, his caddie Shota Hiyato and coach Mikhito Kuromiya were eating at a London restaurant.

“It was an unfortunate situation,” Matsuyama said after shooting 5-under-par (65), one stroke behind first-round leader Chris Kirk. “Fortunately, I only lost my wallet, but Shota, my caddie and the coach lost their passports and we are now trying hard to get their visas back in order and hope to get back together as a team as soon as possible.”

Hiyato and Kuromiya returned to Japan to try to resolve their passport and visa issues. Until those issues are resolved, they cannot return to the United States.

Matsuyama was lucky that neither his passport nor his bronze medal were stolen. He hopes that at least his caddie can return in two weeks when the third FedEx Cup playoff event, the Tour Championship, takes place at East Lake in Atlanta.

“We didn’t even know it happened,” Matsuyama said. “We were having a social dinner and Shota was the first to ask, ‘Hey, where’s my bag?’ Of course it was frustrating, but we didn’t really know it happened. It was just kind of sudden… he just grabbed it and ran.”

Matsuyama hired Taiga Tabuchi, the regular caddie of his Japanese tour pro Ryo Hisatsune, to work there until Hiyato returns. Hisatsune did not qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs.

“I’m playing well and that momentum has continued,” Matsuyama said of his performance at the Olympics. “Now it’s just a matter of whether the results and the score can keep up.”

Matsuyama is in second place along with Taylor Pendrith and Matthieu Pavon.

Gold medalist Scottie Scheffler, who leads the FedEx Cup standings, is one stroke back after a 66 to tie Xander Schauffele and silver medalist Tommy Fleetwood, as well as Ben Griffin, Justin Rose, Brendon Todd and Denny McCarthy.

The 50 players with the most points from the 70-strong field qualify for next week’s BMW Championship.

Rory McIlroy shot 68, as did Jordan Spieth, who is projected to finish 60th and outside the top 50 after one round due to his current position.