Golf: Caddies Brawl at Aussie Open
 

SYDNEY -- Golf officials are investigating a fight between two caddies near the practice chipping area at The Lakes before the first round of the Australian Open.

PGA Tour of Australasia officials said Friday that Grant Buchanan and Matt Kelly had to be separated after coming to blows as their players prepared for the opening round. Buchanan is James Nitties' caddie, and Kelly works for Marc Leishman.

The caddies were interviewed by tour officials and could face disciplinary action.

Tournament director Andrew Langford-Jones said decision on any disciplinary action would be determined within a week.

"Our members in no way condone this behavior, and we are saddened the incident has drawn attention away from this great tournament," he said.

Leishman had a 2-under 70 on Thursday, leaving him four strokes behind leader John Senden.

Nitties shot 77. He failed to earn a 2013 PGA Tour card Monday in California in the qualifying tournament.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
END

OOPs, not good sportsmanship eh?,,,,, could say, they are a couple of Caddywhacks!:box:

Re: Golf: Caddies Brawl at Aussie Open
 

Marc Leishman blames James Nitties' caddy for causing fight at Australian Open being hosted at The Lakes

Liam FitzGibbon, AAP, December 07, 2012

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Australian Open
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Marc Leishman says James Nitties' bagman to blame.

US PGA Tour star Marc Leishman insists James Nitties' bagman is squarely to blame for the 'caddywhack' incident that has rocked the Australian Open.

Leishman, Australia's only winner on the US PGA tour this season, on Friday welcomed an investigation into the dust-up between his caddie Matt Kelly and Grant Buchanan, the bagman of compatriot Nitties.

The PGA Tour of Australasia condemned Thursday's incident, which occurred near a practice green as the players prepared for their opening rounds, and did not rule out involving police.

However, it appears more likely one or both of the caddies will cop fines from the PGA, with an outcome expected by the end of next week.

The pair had to be separated during the incident, which was fuelled by an altercation between the caddies at the Star casino on Tuesday night.

Buchanan claimed Kelly had made taunts over Nitties' failure to crack the US PGA Tour but the blame game continued on Friday, with Leishman adamant his caddie was the victim.

"I don't think me or Matty have got anything to worry about," Leishman said.

"I was there and he (Kelly) didn't do anything.

"He stood there, copped what he got and didn't do anything apart from that. I was proud of him, to be honest."

Leishman was shocked by the incident but it clearly hasn't derailed his Open campaign.

He shot a respectable even-par 72 on Friday to remain at two under and progress to the weekend as Nitties was headed for an early exit after rounds of 77 and 71.

"It really didn't affect me at all because he (Kelly) wasn't in the wrong," Leishman said.

Nitties said the whole situation caught him off guard after only arriving in Sydney on Thursday.

"Really I don't know the whole concept of what and why and that sort of stuff," Nitties said.

"I'm unbiased about it. I can't really say I'm on anyone's side.

"I don't know both stories but Grant is one of my best friends, we go way back and I know he's a great person."

Nitties denied there was a class divide between US-based Australian golfers and those who hadn't cracked the top tour.

"I didn't think so ... everyone usually gets on great," he said.

Tournament director Andrew Langford-Jones said organisers were saddened the incident - which occurred in front of other players and spectators - had taken attention away from the tournament.

He expected the investigation to wrap up next week.

"Having spoken with those involved, there is still a need to speak with a number of other individuals who may be able to provide further information on the incident," Langford-Jones said in a statement.

"... If, as a result of our inquiries, other agencies need to be involved, they will be notified."