Shocking moment Solheim Cup caddies STRIP at women’s tournament as golf fans slam ‘classless’ move from Team USA
Two male Solheim Cup caddies stirred controversy Saturday after they took off their shirts to celebrate Alison Lee’s elimination from the U.S. team.
In a bizarre moment captured by NBC cameras, the American hammered a wedge into the hole from 80 yards out, prompting wild cheers from the crowd — and even wilder cheers from the caddies.
Megan Khang’s caddie Jack Fulghum and Lee’s bag carrier Taylor Takada immediately took off their shirts and began hugging the players and then each other, while the players themselves laughed and looked slightly bewildered.
The reason for the celebration, which caused controversy online and was labelled “classless” by some, was explained later in the broadcast by reporter Kay Cockerill.
She revealed that minutes earlier, as Fulghum stood on the tee, he had told the players he would give them $500 if they made the hole at any point during the round.
Taylor Takada (left) and Jack Fulghum (right) ripped off their shirts during the Solheim Cup
The caddies celebrated wildly after Alison Lee finished the hole, following a bet on the tee
Lee, Team USA’s star player, reportedly responded by saying, “No, if we play a hole-in-the-box, you have to take your shirts off.”
A few minutes later the exact same scenario happened and the two caddies stuck to their side of the bet and put their best foot forward in the middle of the fairway.
However, some fans watching at home strongly opposed the move. One wrote: ‘Come on USA. Have some class. If I was in charge, the caddies would be removed immediately. I don’t care if we lose the game.’
Another added: “Absolutely embarrassing,” while another viewer added: “So embarrassing.”
Lee celebrates a great day for Team USA at the Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia
Team Europe was still preparing to take their shot, while Team USA’s caddies were running around topless
Some people liked it. For example, one golf enthusiast said, “That was great!”
Part of the controversy appears to stem from the closed nature of golf and the sport’s tradition of requiring players to wear a collar at all times and keep their emotions in check on the course.
There is also an expectation that there will be a certain amount of respect between players and their opponents. Team USA already had a big lead over their European opponents.
While the caddies ran around topless and the American players laughed, Team Europe, just a few meters away, tried to continue their own round of golf and stay in the competition.