Caddie Quits During Tosti’s Biltmore Round
Caddie Quits During Tosti’s Biltmore Round
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Key Points
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Tosti began the tournament outside the FedEx Cup Fall cutoff and was playing alongside Luke Clanton and Spencer Oxendine after starting on the 10th tee.
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Despite the caddie’s departure, Tosti made 11 consecutive pars before finishing with a 1-over 72—eight shots behind co-leaders Max Greyserman and Eric Cole, who each shot 7 under.
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Tosti has acknowledged that managing his emotions remains a persistent challenge, telling Golfweek in 2024: “It’s been the challenge for me my whole life, dealing with myself.”
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Ellis had worked with Tosti on and off in recent years, and the caddie’s departure followed a broader pattern of changes in Tosti’s bag; earlier in the season at the Valspar Championship, another caddie drew attention with a bib reading “NEED A WIFE.”
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A Golfweek account described a veteran player confronting Tosti about his behavior; Tosti reportedly replied, “I’m only a jerk Thursday through Sunday. That’s my chance to make money and I don’t like anyone getting in the way of me getting my money.”
Alejandro Tosti's caddie Cliff Ellis walked off the job mid-round at the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, North Carolina, setting down the bag near the 18th hole during Tosti's opening nine holes. Yahoo Sports reported that Ellis removed his bib and departed without explanation, forcing a spectator to carry Tosti's clubs for the remainder of the round. The caddie switch came after reports of tension between the two during practice rounds earlier in the week.
Despite losing his caddie, Tosti carded a 1-over 72, stringing together eleven consecutive pars before finishing eight shots behind co-leaders Max Greyserman and Eric Cole, who each shot 7 under. Tosti joked that Ellis "couldn't keep up with eight pars in a row," though the abrupt departure highlighted the golfer's history of caddie changes and emotional management issues. AOL noted that the incident renewed scrutiny on Tosti's pattern of outbursts and his 2023 suspension for conduct unbecoming a professional.
A Caddie Walks Away Mid-Tournament
The split happened on the 18th hole of Cliffs at Walnut, which was Tosti's ninth hole of the day after starting on the 10th tee. Forbes reported that Cliff Ellis simply walked away without any visible confrontation, leaving Tosti temporarily unsure of what had happened. A nearby spectator stepped in to help carry the bag for the final nine holes, allowing Tosti to complete his round without further incident.
Neither man has publicly explained the reason for the split. Telegraph noted that the caddie quit on the "bad boy" of golf, pointing to weeks of tension between player and caddie. Tosti quickly hired replacement Patrick Talledo for the second round, continuing a pattern of rapid caddie changes that has defined his professional career.
The History of Clashes and Outbursts
Tosti has acknowledged that managing emotions remains his biggest challenge. In 2024, he told Golfweek: "It's been the challenge for me my whole life, dealing with myself." The golfer received a 2023 suspension for conduct unbecoming a professional, adding weight to concerns about his behavior on the course. Larry Brown Sports reported that Tosti previously told a veteran player: "I'm only a jerk Thursday through Sunday. That's my chance to make money and I don't like anyone getting in the way."
Caddie Changes Mirror Ongoing Struggles
Ellis's departure marks another chapter in Tosti's revolving-door approach to caddies. Earlier this season at the Valspar Championship, another caddie drew attention with a bib reading "NEED A WIFE." Forbes noted that Ellis had worked with Tosti on and off in recent years, suggesting a relationship strained by the golfer's demanding personality. The pattern suggests that finding long-term caddie stability remains as difficult as managing Tosti's temperament on the course.
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