Caddie smack: Aussie golfer’s bagman hit in head by bottle on LIV’s party hole

The caddie of a leading Australian golfer escaped serious injury after being stuck in the back of the head with a water bottle on LIV Golf’s famous Adelaide “watering hole” on Saturday.

Nick Pugh, the bagman for PGA Tour and DP World Tour winner Lucas Herbert, was hit with the object while putting the flag back in the cup on The Grange’s Golf Club’s 12th hole.

Herbert had just made birdie as part of the final group to play the tournament’s showpiece hole owing to LIV’s shotgun start. Herbert played up to the crowd with his celebration, but quickly checked on Pugh after the incident.

More than 30,000 people filed through the gates for the second day of LIV Adelaide, with many cramming the party hole, famous for its loud music and boisterous fans.

Chase Koepka was showered with beer cups when he made a hole-in-one on the 12th during the final round last year.

Pugh was briefly left on his knees on the green before making his way back to the clubhouse, where Herbert said he was in good spirits.

Nick Pugh, Lucas Herbert’s caddie, was hit by a bottle on The Grange’s Golf Club’s 12th hole.

“I was worried about him to begin with, but he’s good now,” said Herbert after a seven-under 65 during his second round. “He’s good and he took it really well. He could have been a lot more upset with it, but he took it really well.

“It’s probably difficult to request someone who has had 15 beers to aim a water bottle away from someone. That’s maybe asking too much.

“[Playing partner] ‘Gracey’ [Branden Grace] made a putt from the top tier and some drinks landed on the green. That’s good fun, and it’s in the right spots so we can deal with it. A few pushed it too far. But the crowd self policed and they got some boos when they were throwing things too close. That’s about as crazy as it needs to get.”

The crowd at the hole has largely been well-behaved during the opening two days of the tournament, which sees players emerge from a tunnel to individually chosen walk-on songs.

Australian Marc Leishman tees off on the “watering hole” on Saturday.Credit: Getty

Australian Open champion Joaquin Niemann said he has had no issue with the fans at the watering hole.

“So far, so good,” he said. “It’s crazy. You get there and you can barely talk with your caddie. It is fun. I get there and you’re feeling a bit more pressure having all the people watching you.”

The caddie drama was the only sour note on a stellar day for the Australians as Cameron Smith (-11) surged into contention before Sunday’s final day with a second round 65.

He’s three shots behind American Brendan Steele (-14), who fired a near-faultless eight-under 64.

Matt Jones (-10) also had a happy day and ensured Smith’s all-Australian Ripper GC will have a chance at winning their first team title of the year. Ripper GC will start the final day in fourth and just two shots behind Torque GC.

When asked the preference between the team title or a first individual win of the year, Smith said he was desperate for Ripper GC to stand atop the podium.

“For us to be in a position we are on a Saturday is a really cool spot,” said Smith, who embraced a lady during his round after a wayward drive hit her. “I’d like to think we’ve all been playing some really solid golf. It all really needs to blend together on the last day.”

Herbert bounced back after a tough 73 on Friday, while Marc Leishman (-6) will begin the final day in a tie for 28th after a steady 71 in his second round.

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