A pair of male Solheim Cup caddies courted controversy on Saturday after ripping their shirts off in celebration at Alison Lee holing out for Team USA.
In a bizarre moment caught by the NBC cameras, the American spun a wedge into the hole from 86 yards out, sparking wild celebrations from the crowd – and even wilder celebrations from the caddies.
Megan Khang’s caddie Jack Fulghum and Lee’s bag-carrier Taylor Takada immediately ripped their shirts off and begun hugging the players and then each other, while the players themselves laughed and looked somewhat bemused.
The reason for the celebration – which sparked controversy online and was labeled ‘classless’ by some – was later explained on the broadcast by on-course reporter Kay Cockerill.
She revealed that just minutes earlier, while on the tee box, Fulghum had said to the players that he would give either of them $500 if they managed to hole out at any point during the round.
Taylor Takada (left) and Jack Fulghum (right) ripped off their shirts at the Solheim Cup
The caddies celebrated wildly after Alison Lee holed out, following a bet on the tee box
In response, Team USA star Lee reportedly said: ‘No, if we hole out, you guys take your shirts off.’
Just minutes later, that exact scenario happened, and the pair of caddies kept their end of the bet and showed some skin in the middle of the fairway.
Some fans watching at home, though, slammed the move, with one writing: ‘Cmon USA. Have some class. If I was in charge the caddies would be immediately removed. I don’t care if we lose the match.’
Another added: ‘Absolutely embarrassing,’ while one other viewer added: ‘So cringe.’
Lee celebrates during a great day for Team USA at the Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia
Team Europe were still preparing to take their shot as Team USA’s caddies ran around topless
There were some who enjoyed it, with a golf fan noting: ‘How awesome was that!’
Part of the controversy appears to stem from the buttoned-up nature of golf and the tradition of the sport, in which players are required to wear a collar at all times and keep their emotions in check around the course.
It is also expected that there is a level of respect between players and their opponents, and Team USA were already in a huge lead over their European opponents.
While the caddies ran around topless and the American players laughed, Team Europe were just meters away trying to continue their own round of golf and stay in the competition.
