Caddie Cliff Ellis Details Why He Quit on Alejandro Tosti
By Staff Writer
2 min read
Caddie Cliff Ellis has detailed the argument that led him to walk off Alejandro Tosti's bag mid-round last week at the Biltmore Championship Asheville, telling his side of the story on The Tee Box Golf Show.
Key takeaways
- Ellis removed his bib and left Tosti's bag in the 18th fairway, midway through the first round at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
- The pair had worked together since the CJ Cup in May and made three cuts.
- A fan carried Tosti's bag for the final nine holes; Tosti shot 72-71 and missed the cut.
- Ellis said the split followed an argument over an umbrella in the bag, which escalated into a personal insult.
- Tosti is currently No. 188 in the FedEx Cup fall rankings.
What sparked the split between Ellis and Tosti?
Ellis said the pair had already clashed earlier that day over where to place the bag on the driving range. Tensions carried into the round, and on the 18th hole -- their ninth of the day -- Tosti questioned why an umbrella was in the bag. Ellis said he explained it was for sun or rain, prompting Tosti to call the umbrella unnecessary and, according to Ellis, direct a personal insult at him. Ellis said he gave Tosti a chance to retract the comment before quitting on the spot.
"I am done with you, and I'm outta here, I quit." — Cliff Ellis
Golf Channel cameras captured a brief exchange between the two near the 18th green just before Ellis walked off. Tosti continued play, using a fan from the gallery to carry his bag for the remaining nine holes of the round. He later said he believed Ellis had gone to a restroom rather than quit. Tosti shot 72 that day and 71 in the second round with a new caddie, missing the cut.
How long had Ellis caddied for Tosti?
Ellis said he began working for Tosti at the CJ Cup in May and described the relationship as "tumultuous," while calling Tosti "a very nice, off-the-course gentleman" away from the course. The pair made three cuts together before the walk-off in North Carolina. Ellis said he has not heard from Tosti since and would be open to caddying for another player in the future.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Alejandro Tosti's caddie quit mid-round?
Caddie Cliff Ellis said an argument over an umbrella in the bag on the 18th hole escalated into a personal insult, leading him to quit on the spot.
What tournament was Alejandro Tosti playing when his caddie quit?
The Biltmore Championship Asheville at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
Who carried Alejandro Tosti's bag after his caddie left?
A fan from the gallery carried his bag for the final nine holes of the round.
How did Alejandro Tosti finish the tournament?
He shot 72 and 71 in the first two rounds and missed the cut.
- alejandro tosti
- cliff ellis
- caddies
- pga tour
- biltmore championship asheville
- the cliffs at walnut cove
