Brooks Koepka greets the caddy after Bryson DeChambeau separates from his bagman | Golf news

Following the confirmation of Bryson DeChambeau’s sudden split from his caddy, Brooks Koepka took the opportunity to pay tribute to longtime bagman Ricky Elliott on ‘Caddy Appreciation Day’.

Bryson DeChambeau began his defense of the Rocket Mortgage Classic a day after his younger brother suddenly left, prompting Brooks Koepka to fan the flames of the ongoing feud between the two.

DeChambeau surprisingly split from Tim Tucker on the eve of the tournament, a split confirmed by the US agent who appeared to insist the decision was mutual.

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

But it became clear that relations between the two had grown strained in recent months, with DeChambeau battling for form since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and then his Players’ Championship podium in March.

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

“Everything is taking its course. Tim was tired and Bryson was tired. In any relationship, they take their course, and that’s what happened here.

“It wasn’t a specific issue. It was a highlight. Like any caddy-player relationship, they’ve had their ups and downs. They only wish each other the best and will always be there one-for-one. other.”

Koepka, whose split from DeChambeau was revealed during the PGA Championship in May, then took to social media to say hello to longtime caddy Ricky Elliott and declared “Cadet Appreciation Day” on Thursday. “.

“I couldn’t do it without my guy Rick,” Koepka wrote on her Twitter account. “The best friend and the best caddy to do it.”

DeChambeau had Ben Schomin, director of Cobra Golf tour operations, on his bag when he finally started his first round after being more than three hours late due to bad weather in Detroit.

And the late change of caddy may have contributed to the defending champion’s poor performance as he made up for three birdies with three bogeys out of the top nine, then cut every hole on the inside run, a level par 72 leaving DeChambeau out of the top 100 and needing a big second day to avoid missing the cup.

The world No.6 completed his first round moments before play was suspended due to darkness and nine shots behind surprise leader Davis Thompson, playing only his third event since turning pro and having shot a course record 63 with nine birdies and not a single fault on his card.

Englishman Tom Lewis got off to a positive start with a 65 which earned him a share of second and lifting his hopes of winning the last available spot for the 149th Open at the Royal St George’s, where he shared the lead in the first round then that he was still an amateur in 2011.

Irishman Seamus Power birdies his last three holes to get a 66, while Jason Day challenged his aches, pains and allergies to shoot a 67 with Matthew Wolff, along with former Masters champions Danny Willett and Bubba Watson a step further.