Caddie Abandoned Alejandro Tosti Mid-Round
Golfer Alejandro Tosti finished his opening round at the Biltmore Championship alone after his caddie departed.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Golf
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Professional golfer Alejandro Tosti saw his opening round at the Biltmore Championship finish in an unusual manner when his caddie, Cliff Ellis, left the course on the 18th hole. Ellis dropped the bag and removed his caddie bib before walking off, leaving Tosti to complete the final holes by himself.
Why it matters
The sudden departure of a caddie mid-round is a highly unusual disruption in professional golf that forced Tosti to navigate the tournament's final challenge without his support team. The incident adds pressure to Tosti, who is currently struggling in the FedExCup Fall standings.
Alejandro Tosti finished his opening round at one over par during the $5 million Biltmore Championship. He currently holds the 186th position in the FedExCup Fall standings.
The players
Alejandro Tosti
He is a professional golfer who previously received a mid-round suspension for misconduct at the 2025 Albertsons Boise Open.
Cliff Ellis
He is a professional caddie who left his golfer during the final hole of the opening round at the Biltmore Championship.
The details
Alejandro Tosti was forced to manage his own bag for the remainder of the round after Ellis departed on the 18th hole. Tosti has previously employed other caddies including Ray Yoel and Joaquin Ali during his professional career.
Timeline
The incident occurred during the opening round on September 18, 2026.
Tosti is scheduled to tee off for his second round at 1:49 pm on September 19, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This disruption occurs as Tosti fights to climb out of the 186th spot in the FedExCup Fall standings. The incident follows a pattern set by the 2025 Albertsons Boise Open misconduct suspension, further complicating his efforts to secure a better position in the current season.
Tosti will be forced to compete in his second round without a familiar caddie following the abrupt departure. His performance in the upcoming round is critical to improving his 186th standing in the FedExCup Fall rankings.
The takeaway
Professional golfers rely heavily on the stability provided by their caddie partnership during high-stakes tournament play. The sudden loss of support can serve as a significant mental and logistical challenge for players attempting to maintain their standing during a tournament.
What happens next
Alejandro Tosti is scheduled to tee off for the second round of the Biltmore Championship on September 19, 2026, at 1:49 pm local time.
Further reading
For more on the latest happenings on the green, visit Golf.
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