Quick 9: When golfers collide
4. Miguel Angel Jimenez vs. Keegan Bradley (and his caddie)
Not many people would decide to square up to popular cigar-chomping Spaniard Jimenez, but Bradley and bagman Steve “Pepsi” Hale gave it a good go in 2015.
The trio became involved in a heated debate involving a ruling at that year’s WGC Cadillac Match Play Championship.
Jimenez questioned the ruling of a referee after Bradley was given a relief and that kicked off a whirlwind of arguing between Jimenez, Bradley and Hale.
Watch the awkward scenes below…
5. Paul Azinger vs. Seve Ballesteros
The heated clashes between Azinger and Seve are now the stuff of legend.
It all started at the 1989 Ryder Cup when Seve indicated he would be changing his damaged ball on the green, before putting. Demanding to see evidence of the damage, Azinger insisted the ball was perfectly playable and no change was allowed.
Later, Azinger was unhappy that Ballesteros had questioned the validity of his drop at the 18th.
Two years later the Ryder Cup headed to Kiawah Island and became the scene for another clash between the American and Spaniard.
Ballesteros and his record-breaking playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal noticed on the 7th hole that their opponents Azinger and Chip Beck were breaking the rules by switching the type of golf ball they were using.
However, they didn’t point it out until a few holes later when they were losing. It had the desired effect as the Americans lost their focus and the Spanish duo went on to win 2&1.
6. John Daly vs. Jeffrey Roth (and his dad)
Big-hitting John Daly is no stranger to controversy, but even his scuffle with Bob Roth, father of fellow PGA Tour player Jeffrey, at the 1994 World Series of Golf was an eye opener.
Daly was grabbed from behind by then 62-year-old Roth Sr outside the clubhouse and the pair fought before the crowd separated them.
Roth was upset because Daly had twice hit balls into the group ahead of him, of which the younger Roth was a part.
Whether Daly did it on purpose is unknown but with his ability to smash the ball you would have thought he would be more conscious of the people ahead.
Quick 9 continues on the next page, where we revisit one of golf’s most famous spats, and Patrick Reed takes on his own team-mates…
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
