Alejandro Tosti finished the Biltmore Championship opener without his caddie after Cliff Ellis abruptly walked off midway through Thursday’s round.
Alejandro Tosti’s opening round at the Biltmore Championship Asheville took an unusual turn Thursday when caddie Cliff Ellis walked off the job in the middle of the round at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
Tosti, the Argentine PGA Tour pro who began the week well outside the FedEx Cup Fall cutoff, started on the 10th tee alongside Luke Clanton and Spencer Oxendine. After eight straight pars, the group reached the 18th hole - Tosti’s ninth of the day - and that’s where Ellis’ day ended.
According to reports from the course, Ellis put down the bag, removed his caddie bib and left. Tosti apparently didn’t realize at first that his caddie was finished for the day, believing Ellis had stepped away briefly.
Tosti later responded with humor when asked about the departure.
“He couldn’t keep up with eight pars in a row,” Tosti said via text.
Despite the disruption, Tosti kept his round together. He opened with 11 consecutive pars before eventually signing for a 1-over 72, leaving him eight shots behind first-round leaders Max Greyserman and Eric Cole, who each shot 7 under.
The sudden split didn’t come entirely without warning. Tosti and Ellis reportedly had friction during Tuesday’s practice round, although the decision to leave during tournament play still caught Tosti by surprise.
Tosti has never hidden his intensity on the golf course. His competitive temperament has generated attention throughout his professional career, including a suspension during the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour playoffs for conduct unbecoming a professional.
He has also acknowledged the challenge of controlling those emotions.
“It’s been the challenge for me my whole life, dealing with myself,” Tosti told Golfweek in 2024.
There have been lighter caddie moments as well. Earlier this season at the Valspar Championship, Tosti drew attention when his caddie wore a customized bib reading “NEED A WIFE.”
Now his immediate concern is finding someone willing to carry the bag again.
Tosti is scheduled to begin his second round Friday at 1:49 p.m. ET, giving him several hours to secure a replacement before returning to The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.
