Travellers Championship winner, Marc Leishman declared his caddy was not to blame after an ugly incident during the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney.
The Australasian PGA Tour has launched an investigation after a fight broke out between the caddies of two leading Australian golfers.
Leishman’s caddy Mat Kelly and Grant Buchanan, who caddies for fellow Australian James Nitties, had to be pulled apart on the opening dya of the prestigious event after exchanging blows on the practice green before their respective rounds.
“It wasn’t my caddies fault and he did retaliate at all,” said Leishman after posting a second round 72 to move to two under par after two rounds on The Lakes course.
James Nitties and his caddy during this week’s Emirates Australian Open. (Photo – www.telegraph.com.au)
“I really would rather not talk about it because it’s something you don’t expect, and never want to see on a golf course or anywhere for that matter.
“I’ve heard the Tour will launch an investigation but I don’t think we have too much to worry about.”
Indeed, the Australasian PGA Tour’s Tournament Director Andrew Langford-Jones later issued a statement over the incident.
“A physical altercation took place between two caddies during round one of the Australian Open,” said the statement.
“Having spoken with those involved, there is still a need to speak with a number of other individuals who may be able to provide further information on the incident.
“The PGA Tour of Australasia and our members in no way condone this behaviour, and we are saddened the incident has drawn attention away from this great tournament.”
Buchanan confirmed it began on Tuesday night at the Star City Casino in Sydne, and he blamed Kelly, who caddies for Leishman for instigating a sledging war between the pairings.
“You blokes are f***ing kidding, why are you wasting your time in America?” Kelly taunted, and no doubt in reference to Nitties who ended his 2012 Buy.com Tour season playing 20 events, missing the cut in 13 and earning just $US 48,000.
It is understood insults escalated until Kelly called Buchanan on, although Buchanan declined after noticing two bouncers standing nearby, but not before promising to square up next time.
“As soon as we walked onto the practice green today he was the first one we bumped in to,” Buchanan told The Daily Telegraph.
He confronted Kelly again, asking what Tuesday night was about.
“If he had said he was full of drink and apologised I wouldn’t have worried about it but he just started again,” Buchanan said.
The pair then came to blows, quickly going to ground where Buchanan began the ground and pound, scraping Kelly’s lip before Nitties pulled them apart, a good fight spoiled.
“He’s a grub,” Buchanan declared.
Kelly preferred not to comment after finishing yesterday’s round.
“I’d rather not,” he said.
When Leishman walked off the 18th tee, Langford-Jones was waiting to call him aside and begin the inquiry.
Ten minutes later, Buchanan walked off the ninth with Nitties.
It is not known if either caddy ran into the other in The Lakes clubhouse.
