The Ryder Cup is no stranger to heated moments, but Saturday’s drama at Bethpage Black took an unexpected twist when Scottie Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, found himself at the center of a storm. After an altercation with a European staff member during the tense afternoon session, Scott has now issued a grovelling public apology as footage of the incident continues to spread like wildfire across social media.
The clash reportedly occurred near the 15th green, where emotions were already running high. Scheffler, paired with close friend Jordan Spieth, was embroiled in a tightly contested fourball against Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland. Eyewitnesses claimed that Scott confronted a European staffer over what he perceived as a breach of etiquette, leading to a heated exchange that was caught by television cameras.
Clips of the incident quickly circulated online, sparking outrage from fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Some defended Scott for standing up for his player, while others condemned the caddie’s behavior as “unprofessional” and “embarrassing on golf’s biggest stage.”
By Saturday night, Scott moved to defuse the situation. In a heartfelt statement released through Team USA, he admitted he had crossed the line:
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions today. The Ryder Cup is about respect, sportsmanship, and representing your country with pride. In the heat of the moment, I let my emotions get the better of me, and I reacted in a way that was not appropriate. I deeply regret my behavior and the distraction it caused to both teams. I have spoken to the individual involved and offered my personal apology.”
Team USA captain Keegan Bradley also weighed in, saying he accepted Scott’s apology but stressed the importance of composure.
“These matches are incredibly intense, but as a team we have to hold ourselves to the highest standard. Ted knows that, and I think he’s truly sorry for what happened,” Bradley remarked.
Meanwhile, European captain Luke Donald took a diplomatic tone, refusing to escalate the matter:
“The Ryder Cup is an emotional event, and sometimes things boil over. We’re ready to move on and focus on the golf.”
Despite the apology, the incident remains one of the most talked-about moments of the week, overshadowing even some of the on-course heroics. Fans have taken to social media with divided opinions—some praising Scott for his passion, others suggesting that caddies, as non-players, should remain firmly in the background.
As Sunday singles loom, all eyes will be on Scheffler and his bagman. The world No. 1 will need to shut out the noise and lead by example if Team USA is to mount a comeback. For Ted Scott, the grovelling apology may help patch things up publicly, but the altercation has already secured its place in Ryder Cup history.
