Caddie Quits on Alejandro Tosti Mid-Round at Biltmore Championship

Alejandro Tosti's caddie, Cliff Ellis, dropped the bag, removed his bib and walked off mid-round during the first round of the PGA Tour's Biltmore Championship Asheville on Thursday at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Arden, North Carolina.

What happened on the course?

Ellis left on the 18th hole, Tosti's ninth of the day, according to a source at the tournament. Tosti thought Ellis had stepped away for a bathroom break and was surprised to find him gone when he reached the tee. Tosti, No. 186 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, was grouped with Luke Clanton and Spencer Oxendine off the 10th tee at 8:59 a.m. He finished the round alone, carding a 1-over 72 after making par on his first 11 holes.

Asked for comment by text, Tosti joked, "He couldn't keep up with eight pars in a row." A source said the pair had already clashed during a Tuesday practice round.

Has Tosti had caddie trouble before?

The 30-year-old Argentine has changed caddies frequently and has a history of on-course friction. He was suspended during the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour playoffs for conduct unbecoming a professional after officials cited expletive-filled outbursts toward players and rules officials. Earlier this year, he had a caddie wear a bib reading "Need a wife" at the Valspar Championship. Tosti has openly acknowledged that controlling his temper has been a longstanding struggle for him.

A caddie quitting mid-round is rare but not unprecedented. Australian Robert Allenby has had multiple caddies walk off during a round, including Mick Middlemo at the 2015 RBC Canadian Open following a heated confrontation.

Tosti is set to tee off in the second round Friday at 1:49 p.m. ET, giving him time to find a replacement.