Top 10 in 2015: Controversies

Following months of negotiations with the PGA Tour, a group of more than 80 caddies filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for unpaid endorsement fees. The lawsuit stemmed from the Tour’s unwillingness to negotiate a settlement with the caddies, who claim they are made to wear logo-covered bibs without receiving any proceeds from contracts that lawyers for the caddies estimate is valued at $50 million annually. (Getty Images)

In his book, ‘Slaying the Tiger,’ author Shane Ryan wrote that the four-time PGA Tour winner would openly challenge others’ talents upon meeting them and was so unpopular amongst his Augusta State teammates that they hoped he lost his match in the NCAA Championship final. Most damaging in Ryan’s story, however, were the accusations that Reed cheated during qualifying rounds and stole from teammates during his time at Georgia. Reed released a statement saying he looked ‘forward to setting the record straight.’ (Getty Images)

Two weeks before what would have been his Open Championship defense, Rory McIlroy suffered a ‘total rupture’ of a ligament in his left ankle during what he called a ‘soccer kickabout’ with friends. He was sidelined just as his season was gaining momentum, and although he returned at the PGA Championship, he was an afterthought, with Jason Day and Jordan Spieth stealing the show. Should he or shouldn’t he have a life off-course? That debate rages on. (Getty Images)

Inbee Park won the Ricoh Women’s British Open in August, giving her four different major championships – the Women’s British, the ANA Inspiration, the Women’s PGA Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. Doesn’t that a career Grand Slam make? Well, depends who you ask. Golf Channel says no. The Associated Press says no. The LPGA says yes. The complicating factor is that the LPGA has five majors. The Evian Championship, played in France, was given major status in 2013. Park won it, but in 2012, before it was considered a major. So if (when?) she wins the Evian as a major, is it a Super Slam? There’s still no consensus. (Getty Images)

Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez got into a heated argument on their final hole during the WGC-Match Play on Friday (neither was advancing). Jimenez supposedly reminded Bradley that he needed to take two club lengths before dropping his ball for relief on the 18th hole. That didn’t go over well, and at one point, Bradley’s caddie, Steven Hale, said to Jimenez, ‘Do not tell me to shut up!’ Bradley then got in Jimenez’s face to say, ‘Don’t tell him to shut up!’ No blows were exchanged, but it was a delectable precursor to the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight that took place two days later in Las Vegas. (Getty Images)

In Steve Williams’ autobiography, ‘Out of the Rough,’ he said former boss Tiger Woods made him feel subservient. ‘One thing that really pissed me off was how he would flippantly toss a club in the general direction of the bag, expecting me to go over and pick it up. I felt uneasy about bending down to pick up his discarded club – it was like I was his slave,’ was the exact excerpt. When asked about his word choice after the fact, Williams said it ‘never crossed my mind’ to change the reference when describing his working relationship with Woods. (Getty Images)

After the controversy over Donald Trump’s comments about Mexican immigration, Trump told Golf Channel that the golf industry supports him because ‘they all know I’m right.’ Golf’s governing bodies quickly responded to that in a statement that read: ‘We feel compelled to clarify that those remarks do not reflect the views of our organizations. While the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA do not usually comment on presidential politics, Mr. Trump’s comments are inconsistent with our strong commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment in the game of golf.’ The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, set to be played at Trump National Los Angeles, was eventually cancelled, and the PGA Tour is potentially looking to move the WGC-Cadillac from Trump Doral. (Getty Images)

‘I’ve lost a little respect for the USGA this week,’ Billy Horschel said. ‘It’s pretty much like putting on broccoli,’ Henrik Stenson tomed. ‘It’s like playing the NBA Finals on a court with holes and slopes and no backboard,’ Sergio Garcia quipped. And they were far from the only players who took issue with the greens and the condition of Chambers Bay. Did Dustin Johnson miss that 4-footer on the 72nd hole because of nerves or the nerve of the USGA? Guess we’ll never know. (Getty Images)

After Bryson DeChambeau won the NCAA individual title and the U.S. Amateur, things were looking good at SMU. But then the hammer fell in late September, when it was announced the NCAA had placed the men’s golf team (and basketball team) on a postseason ban because of ‘recruiting violations’ and ‘unethical conduct’ during its previous coach’s tenure. DeChambeau soon left the team to play pro events, still as an amateur. (Getty Images)

The Solheim Cup’s resumption of suspended fourballs ended in tears, controversy and confusion Sunday morning. American Alison Lee and Europe’s Suzann Pettersen were at the heart of the controversy after Lee scooped up an 18-inch putt for par at the 17th hole thinking she heard the Europeans say it was conceded as the European caddies and players were walking away before she putted out. The putt would have halved the hole and kept the match square going to the final hole. Instead, Pettersen maintained it was never conceded and the U.S. lost a crucial point. Both Lee and Europe’s Hull were in tears before the match ended, and Pettersen’s sportsmanship was questioned for weeks. (Getty Images)