PGA Officials Investigate Fight Between O’Grady, Caddy’s Father

Mac O’Grady and the father of a caddy had to be pulled apart by security guards after fighting Friday during the Federal Express St. Jude golf tournament, PGA Tour officials said.

No one was hurt, and neither side is pressing charges, but the PGA is investigating. O’Grady will no longer be playing in the tournament because he missed the cut.

PGA Tournament Director Mike Shea said the altercation occurred near the 18th green when Tommy Stickney Sr. blocked O’Grady’s path as he left the scorer’s tent after completing his second round.

Stickney’s son, Tommy Stickney Jr., was O’Grady’s caddy Thursday, when O’Grady shot an opening-round 77. Shea said O’Grady had indicated to the younger Stickney after the round that he planned to withdraw but changed his mind overnight. O’Grady was assigned a different caddy Friday after the younger Stickney did not show up.

“Apparently the issue was concern the father had for the way his son was spoken to (on Thursday),” said Shea, who added that there may have been a misunderstanding on how the younger Stickney, 18, was to be paid.

Tournament worker Joe Connelly said O’Grady and Stickney began arguing moments after O’Grady finished his round.

“They were both shouting at each other, and then they grabbed each other by the shoulders. Then they fell to the ground, and O’Grady was on top,” Connelly said.

“I tried to pull O’Grady back, and there were several other people--about a dozen or so--trying to calm them down. They were definitely fighting. They were still exchanging words after they were pulled apart (by tournament security guards). I really was afraid a spectator or someone else would get hurt.”

O’Grady, who shot another 77 Friday, spent about an hour with PGA officials before leaving the course without comment.