ASHEVILLE — Alejandro Tosti's caddie quit mid-round during day one of the Biltmore Championship Asheville on Thursday, leaving the Argentine to finish alone at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. Tosti still carded a one-over par 72 in the opening round after Cliff Ellis walked off the course on the 18th hole, which was their ninth hole of the day.
According to Golfweek, friction had already developed between the pair during the build-up to the tournament earlier in the week. The 30-year-old initially thought Ellis was taking a mid-round bathroom break before realizing he had actually quit. Asked what happened, Tosti offered a light-hearted take to Golfweek, saying: "He couldn't keep up with eight pars in a row," followed by numerous laughing emojis.
The incident fits a volatile competitive history. Tosti is known for switching caddies more often than most and has a fiery temper on course. He repeatedly shouted expletives at caddie Ray Yoel during a Korn Ferry Tour event in 2023, and was suspended during the Korn Ferry Tour playoffs that same year after numerous "expletive-filled outbursts" aimed at both players and rules officials.
He was also involved in a confrontation with Min Woo Lee last year in Houston when he complained about the Australian's pace of play. Away from tournament play, Tosti is described as a kind person, but his character is known to change sharply when competing.