By Alex Myers
A second consecutive strong start for Rhein Gibson on the Web.com Tour was marred by an ugly incident involving his caddie on the final hole.
Needing a birdie to tie on a closing par 5 in Wednesday’s final round of the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, Gibson found a hazard with his second shot. Gibson’s ball was eventually found and he took a drop, but he was assessed an additional penalty because an official ruled his temporary caddie, Brandon Davis, picked it up while it was still in play. Golf Channel cameras caught the action as a visibly upset Gibson chipped his fifth shot to tap-in range, grabbed his putter, and fired the headcover off of Davis’ chest. You can watch the clip below:
Rhein Gibson a little heated on final hole of Web event. Trailed by 1, hooked shot into hazard. Caddie picked up ball in hazard before Gibson got to it. Subsequent 1-shot penalty difference between T-2 and solo 3rd. https://t.co/09AiDaLsEQ
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ShooterMcGavin_/status/956289791057854466
“It was just in the heat of the moment. I’m obviously playing well and I put myself in a great position, but when that happens it (could) cost me upwards of 15 or 18 thousands dollars,” Gibson told the Australian Associated Press after.
The extra shot gave Gibson a bogey and knocked him from T-2 to solo third. Gibson finished T-3 in the Web.com Tour’s season opener last week with Davis on the bag. Adam Svensson won the event, while last week’s winner, 19-year-old Sungjae Im, finished runner-up.
“Hopefully, at the end of the [season] it doesn’t cost me a [PGA] Tour card,” added Gibson, a 31-year-old from Australia who played full time on the PGA Tour in 2016. “We’re not playing for that much money out here.”
Gibson also apologized to Davis on Twitter:
Unfortunately my caddy was involved with a ruling on the 18th that caused me to fall from t2 to 3rd. My actions were less then professional and I apologize to my caddy and those that took offense to my behaviors.
— Rhein Gibson (@RheinGibson55) January 24, 2018
But Davis also took to Twitter to make his case that he didn’t make a mistake and that Gibson shouldn’t have been docked an extra shot:
I was his caddy and did nothing wrong, here's the proof:
Decision 26.1/9
A.There is no penalty under Rule 18-2 if there was no doubt or it was reasonable to assume from the player's actions or statements that he would make his next stroke from outside the water hazard. https://t.co/W8dQHmAkeK
— Brandon Davis (@bdavistwo) January 25, 2018
Caddied last week too. Was with Cam Percy this fall but jumped over to the Web due to lack of starts for CP. I'm not a newbie, I've played high level am golf all my life. wasn't a lack of knowledge… which is what sucks.
— Brandon Davis (@bdavistwo) January 25, 2018
Regardless, it doesn’t appear these two will be working together again anytime soon.
No sir. Fired with the headcover throw.
— Brandon Davis (@bdavistwo) January 25, 2018