PGA Tour caddie shares details of "ludicrous" argument with golf's bad boy

Alejandro Tosti's former caddie has detailed the "ludicrous" argument that erupted between the pair during the first round of the Biltmore Championship.

Cliff Ellis decided to walk off the course last week during the first round of the inaugural PGA Tour event at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. 

After Tosti hit his approach on the 18th hole, his ninth of the day, Ellis could be seen dropping the Argentine’s golf bag, removing his bib and walking towards the car park.

Ellis told TeeBoxGolf Radio that the whole week with Tosti was "ludicrous" and the tension between the duo had been simmering for months. 

"A lot of just off-the-wall and insane things were going on all week between him and I and then Thursday morning we got off to a real hot start. 

"We were on the range getting warmed up and we got into a little tussle over the placement of the bag at the driving range, which was just insane, but you know, I'm like trying to calm him down [by saying] like okay, let's stay focused on this here. 

"So just the day was bad. It was just terrible."

Ellis then described what happened as they walked down the 18th hole. 

"And I picked up bag up and he looks at me and he says why is this umbrella in the bag?

"And I said well, you know, what if it rains or what if you want to use it for Sun, you know, which is something he does often, you know. 

"He'll pop the umbrella open for the walk and get under it so he doesn't get in the Sun and then he kind of said something he was like, whoa, be stupid to have it out here.

"I was like, are you planning on carrying this bag? I was like what difference does it make to you? 

"And so I just brush it off. I gave him a hand sign that we use, you know, like hey, let's stay focused. 

"He goes: 'No, I just don't understand when you bring this'."

Ellis said Tosti used a word that he couldn't say on the radio. 

"I mean in the video you kind of see me pointing to myself. I'm like, you're gonna call me that over this. 

"I was like, I'm gonna let you walk that back real quick and we can go forward. 

"Well, he doubled down on it.

"So I said, you know what? I am done with you and I'm out of here. I said I quit. Wow. He says are you kidding me?

"I said absolutely not, I'm not kidding you. Who wants to put themselves through this?"

For his part, Tosti acknowledged in an interview with Ryan French of MondayQInfo that the pair had bickered about an umbrella. 

He denied using the word "dumbass" in their exchange, though, insisting: "It's not a word I would use."

The incident with Ellis is the latest episode in a long-running reputation that has earned Tosti a reputation of golf's bad boy. 

The 30-year-old Argentine arrived on the PGA Tour with a reputation for being fiercely competitive and, at times, confrontational. 

His profile grew during his time on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he was suspended in 2023 for what the tour described as a disciplinary matter involving his conduct. 

The suspension followed a series of incidents, including an altercation involving playing partner Kyle Westmoreland.

His temperament has continued to attract attention since reaching the PGA Tour. 

At the 2024 Sony Open, Tosti was photographed sitting cross-legged beside a green while waiting for his playing partners to hit their approach shots, an image that quickly circulated online. 

The same year, he became involved in a rules dispute at the Wells Fargo Championship and was repeatedly outspoken about pace of play.

The 2025 Houston Open produced another high-profile episode. 

Tosti was seen becoming frustrated during a lengthy delay involving Min Woo Lee and later responded angrily on social media to criticism of his conduct, using profanity and accusing those reporting on the incident of spreading 'fake news'.