Tensions had already been running high at Bethpage Black, with the raucous crowd dominating headlines, but an on-course argument involving players and caddies became one of Saturday’s biggest talking points.
Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood defeated Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau 3&2 in the afternoon four-balls, though the match was overshadowed by a confrontation on the 15th green. Rose asked DeChambeau’s caddie, Gregory Bodine, to move before sinking a birdie putt, only for DeChambeau to answer with one of his own. As the groups walked to the 16th tee, words were exchanged between the Americans and Team Europe’s players, with Scheffler’s caddie Scott angrily confronting Molinari.
Fleetwood’s caddie, Ian Finnis, stepped in to calm the situation, allowing play to continue. Still, the clip quickly spread online, drawing sharp reactions as Europe surged into an 11½ – 4½ lead.
By Sunday morning, Scott had taken to Instagram alongside Molinari to smooth things over.
“This guy right here has always been a very sweet-spirited man,” Scott said with his arm around the Italian. “We had a heated moment yesterday, but what people don’t realize is that by the time we got to the 16th tee, it was over.”
The apology comes as the Ryder Cup enters its final day, with Europe on the brink of reclaiming the trophy.
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