Tempers flared all over the grounds of Bethpage Black on Saturday of the Ryder Cup, including a heated spat between Bryson DeChambeau and Team Europe members.
The incident took place at the 15th green where Justin Rose apparently took issue with something Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie, Greg Bodine, did as he went to line up his putt. It looked as if Bodine might have been in Rose’s way — or at least Rose thought so — and words were exchanged.
Rose then sank his birdie putt, and as Team USA had its chance to tie the hole, NBC cameras caught Rose and Bodine continuing the conversation.
DeChambeau then stepped up and sunk his birdie putt to tie the hole — and extend the match — and that’s when things got spicy. As the two teams made the long walk up to the 16th tee, DeChambeau was especially heated and yapped at anyone who would listen. Even the mild-mannered Ted Scott, the caddie for Scottie Scheffler, got involved.
Bryson, Justin Rose Get Into It During Ryder Cup
As the bickering continued on the 16th tee box, Fleetwood’s caddie, Ian Finnis, appeared to play peacekeeper. Cameras caught him trying to diffuse the situation, particularly with Bodine.
The two teams then teed off 16th without further incident, and Scott was seen making peace as they walked toward the fairway. While the tension appeared to simmer, the approach shots sure indicated emotions were running high. Both Fleetwood and DeChambeau blasted their second shots over the 16th green.
The Euros steadied themselves, however, and Rose made a par putt to end the match at the 16th. The two sides were civil in their post-match handshakes, with Rose speaking with USA captain Keegan Bradley and DeChambeau.
“It’s a shame the match got to that point,” Rose said in an interview on NBC moments after the match. “It was a really great match. I was waiting to putt … I felt like they came up again, and I question whether — it’s my putt, right? — maybe I didn’t say it as politely as I could have in the moment. By no means there was there meant to be any disrespect, but obviously, it was taken the wrong way. I don’t think we should dwell on that. I told the boys if you want me to say ‘Excuse me, please,’ then, yeah, my bad, but it was an amazing match.”
Caddies Getting Involved Nothing New at Ryder Cup
This marks the second straight Ryder Cup there has been some sort of caddie involvement in a heated moment. Back in 2023 in Rome at Marco Simone, Joe LaCava, the caddie for Patrick Cantlay, got into it with the Europeans over an incident at the 18th green.
That then spilled over into the parking lot later that night.
Given how tense Saturday was at times, especially off the course with fired-up fans getting into it with European players, Sunday singles will be must-see TV.
Then again, given how big of a lead Europe has built through two days, that might be the only sort of drama left.
Bryson DeChambeau, Europe Exchange Words in Fiery Ryder Cup Spat