Report: PGA Tour pro splits with caddie after shock bust-up in Japan

David Lipsky and veteran caddie Darren Woolard have reportedly parted ways during the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, adding another chapter to an increasingly eventful season for PGA Tour player-caddie relationships.

According to Golfweek, Woolard reached breaking point while working with Lipsky and effectively told the 38-year-old American to find someone else to carry his bag for Sunday's final round at Yokohama Country Club.

A PGA Tour official confirmed to Golfweek that Lipsky teed off on Sunday with a different caddie. 

The identity of his replacement was not independently confirmed, although it was suggested that the stand-in may have been Lipsky's trainer.

The reported separation followed a frustrating week for Lipsky, who had initially looked well placed to challenge after opening with a 66 on Thursday.

However, Lipsky struggled to maintain that momentum, carding rounds of 72 and 73 before Sunday's final round brought further difficulties. He bogeyed four of his first five holes, leaving himself with plenty of ground to make up, but eventually recovered to sign for a 70.

He finished the week at 3-under par in a tie for 54th, 13 shots behind Michael Brennan who captured his third PGA Tour title. 

Lipsky earned $18,000 for his week's efforts, while Brennan pocketed a huge $1.44m. 

Check out the full prize money payouts from the Baycurrent Classic. 

Although the circumstances surrounding Lipsky and Woolard's split remain unclear, the timing came during a disappointing tournament for a player who has experienced a mixed season.

Lipsky has enjoyed success across several tours, collecting victories on the DP World Tour, Asian Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. 

He also finished runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick at the Valspar Championship in March, demonstrating his ability to compete against strong fields on the PGA Tour.

However, that remains his only top-10 finish of the season. 

He had also missed six cuts in his previous 10 starts before arriving in Japan and began the tournament ranked 85th in the season-long standings.

Woolard is an experienced caddie who has previously worked with several recognisable names, including Scott Piercy, Taylor Montgomery, K.H. Lee and the late Jarrod Lyle.

The reported split between Lipsky and Woolard is the latest in a string of unusual incidents involving caddies on the PGA Tour this season.

In September, Cliff Ellis attracted attention at the Biltmore Championship Asheville after reportedly removing his caddie bib and abandoning Alejandro Tosti's bag during the opening round.

The incident provided another example of how quickly tensions can spill over in professional golf, where players and caddies spend long hours together under intense competitive pressure.

Another memorable episode involved Garrick Higgo and Austin Gaugert at the PGA Championship.

Higgo received a two-stroke penalty after failing to reach the 1st tee before his scheduled starting time. 

The incident was followed by an extraordinary press conference in which the South African offered a series of remarks that quickly caught the attention of golf fans.

“I wouldn’t have been late if I had known I was running late,” Higgo said.

He later added: “I was there on time, but the rule is, if you're one second late, you're late.”

Higgo ultimately missed the cut by a single stroke, and his partnership with Gaugert ended before his next tournament.

Now, the reported breakdown between Lipsky and Woolard adds another name to the season's growing list of caddie-related talking points.

Caddies are far more than bag carriers, playing a crucial role in course management, club selection and providing support when pressure mounts. 

A strong partnership can make a significant difference, particularly when a player is struggling to find form.

However, the latest reported split serves as a reminder that these relationships can come under strain when results fail to meet expectations.

Neither the precise circumstances of the reported separation nor the reasons behind it have been independently established. 

Nevertheless, Lipsky's decision to take a different caddie into Sunday's final round has added another unexpected storyline to the PGA Tour season.