It’s not a first time and it will not be a last after a PGA Tour caddie clearly had taken enough from his ’employer’ and on this occasion shocking all and sundry in storming off reportedly during the opening round of The Biltmore Championship Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina.
American Cliff Ellis was carrying Alejandro Tosti’s bag for the $5m tournament but decided halfway down the ninth hole that enough was enough.
The caddie not only dumped Tostie’s bag but also proceeded to throw away his bib ahead of walking off, clearly in disgust.
The situation with Ellis wasn’t the first time Tosti has courted drama, though previously his fellow players have been on the other side of it. In 2024, he was involved in what commentators described as a ‘wild scenario’ after a face-off with playing partner Tony Finau over who should putt first.
POSITION VACANT AS CADDIE SACKS @PGATour STAR …
Not the best news to report from $5m @BiltmoreChamp but golfer Alejandro Tosti has been handed the sack by his American caddy
A reported head-butting incident ahead of the North Carolina event seemingly led to caddie… pic.twitter.com/hUbQguvpGR
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) September 18, 2026
As well, the duo reportedly butted heads during a practice round on Tuesday, and the former has a reputation for being a bit difficult to work (and play) with due to a short temper Tosti acknowledged has been an issue during his career.
He didn’t provide a concrete explanation when asked about the departure, joking his now-former caddie “couldn’t keep up with eight pars in a row.” Ellis had not provided his side of the story and it was unclear if Tosti, who posted a first round one-over 72, had found a replacement ahead of his second round on Friday afternoon.
A leaderboard check late on day two of the touranment shows Tosti sharing 100th place and headed for the weekend rounds off, and probably time to source a new caddie.
In reference to Tosti’s 2024 issue with Finau then on-course commentator John Wood had remarked: “You can cut the tension with a knife between Finau and Tosti right now.
“They had another instance right there where they were trying to figure out who was away.
“Tony just pointed at him and walked away. Tosti kind of smiled as if to say ‘You’re kidding right?’ It’s just completely icy, it is not comfortable between those two at all. It’s just tension.”
Of note, this week is a PGA Tour first at Asheville, North Carolina since 1942 for the inaugural edition of The Biltmore Championship at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
