Tensions were high at Bethpage Black on Saturday afternoon, as the U.S. team attempted to get themselves back into contention after Europe extended their lead to 8.5-3.5 in the morning foursomes.
Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau were in the midst of a tightly contested four-ball match with Europe’s Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood when those tensions finally boiled over on the 15th hole and resulted in a heated exchange that involved both players and caddies.
To recap the scene: Justin Rose waved off DeChambeau’s caddie as Rose was lining up his putt. According to NBC on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman, there may have been confusion over who was away. But Rose drained his putt, and then DeChambeau answered with his own make to tie the hole. But the chirping apparently continued, with NBC cameras capturing intense words being exchanged between DeChambeau and Fleetwood, while Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, was engaged with European vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, with Fleetwood stepping between Scott and Molinari on the walk to the 16th tee.
Europe ended up winning the match 3 and 2 — another dagger for the ailing U.S. team. After the round, Rose shared his version of events.
“I was waiting to putt,” he began. “The boys were obviously working on their read, obviously going on with their calculations and bits and pieces. So I waited a few seconds, and then I felt like they came up again. I questioned — it’s my putt, right? Or however I said it, maybe I didn’t say it as politely as I could have said it in the moment but by no means was there any disrespect or anything like that, but obviously it was taken the wrong way.”
On Sunday, ahead of the singles matches, Scott issued a public apology while standing alongside Molinari. His caption read, “One of the best men and I’m sorry for our conflict. @chiccogolf shows his kindness continuously. Thank you Fran.”
At the start of the video, Scott put his arm around Molinari.
“This guy right here, has always been just a very sweet-spirited man,” Scott said. “We had a heated moment yesterday, but what many of you don’t realize is that we got over it. By the time we walked off the 16th tee, it was over, and neither one of us want to make this competition about us.
“We wanna let the players go out there and do their thing and obviously Team Europe is kicking our butts and hopefully today we can make it a little more equal, have a better competition, give the fans what they want, but ultimately I just wanna spread love and joy,” Scott continued. “It’s a great competition. It’s great fun, and, this is a great man right here. So I just wanna say I’m sorry to you, brother.”
The two shook hands. “I appreciate you,” Molinari responded. “Like I told you, I’ve got huge admiration for you and love you. Looking forward to another great day.”
