Brooks Koepka salutes caddie after Bryson DeChambeau parts company with his bagman

Bryson DeChambeau began his defence of the Rocket Mortgage Classic a day after the sudden departure of his caddie, which prompted Brooks Koepka to fan the flames of the ongoing feud between the pair.

DeChambeau surprisingly parted company with Tim Tucker on the eve of the tournament, a split confirmed by the American’s agent who appeared to insist that the decision was mutual.

Tucker had been on the bag for DeChambeau for all of his eight victories on the PGA Tour, including his maiden major at the US Open last year, and he caddied as usual during this week’s practice rounds at the Detroit Golf Club.

But it became apparent that the relationship between the pair had become strained over recent months, with DeChambeau struggling for form since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and then posting a podium finish at The Players Championship in March.

“They had a good run, and they mutually agreed yesterday afternoon to go their separate ways,” DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, told the Golf Channel on Thursday morning.

“Everything runs its course. Tim was getting tired and Bryson was getting tired. In any relationship they run their course, and that’s what happened here.

Couldn’t do it without my guy Rick! Best friend and greatest caddie to do it? @RickyElliott appreciation day! pic.twitter.com/cNvD2VX8Nh

“It wasn’t one specific issue. It was a culmination. Like any caddie-player relationship, they had their ups and downs. They wish each other nothing but the best and will always be there for each other.”

Koepka, whose rift with DeChambeau was revealed during the PGA Championship in May, then took to social media to salute his long-time caddie, Ricky Elliott, and declaring Thursday as “caddie appreciation day”.

“Couldn’t do it without my guy Rick,” Koepka wrote on his Twitter account. “Best friend and greatest caddie to do it.”

DeChambeau had Cobra Golf tour operations manager, Ben Schomin, on his bag when he finally got his first round under way following a delay of over three hours due to adverse weather in Detroit.

Live PGA Tour Golf

July 2, 2021, 1:00pm

Live on

Source: Read Full Article