The caddy of divisive US Presidents Cup team member Patrick Reed has been involved in an altercation with a fan on the third day of the tournament.
Reed has earned the ire of golf fans around the world after it was alleged he cheated in last week's Hero World Challenge by improving his lie in a bunker.
It's seen a number of Australian followers at the Presidents Cup heckle the 2019 Masters champion throughout the tournament thus far.
And according to NBC Golf Channel reporter Steve Sands, Reed's caddy Kessler Karain fronted a fan following Reed and teammate Webb Simpson's loss in the four-balls on Saturday.
More: Presidents Cup: When and where is it, scores, how to watch and tickets
"There was a little bit of an altercation earlier today after the morning matches with Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson," Sands said on NBC's Golf Channel.
"Kessler Karain, the caddie for Patrick Reed, got into an altercation with one of the fans.
"Now we’re all familiar with what happened last Friday at the Hero World Challenge, and everybody knew coming into the week that the fans in Australia were really going to get on Reed whenever he played.
"He played in the first three matches, went 0-3.
"Reed was really hearing it from the fans and it got a little out of control there after the match and that’s where the altercation took place.”
Meanwhile, in a statement made to Barstool Sports' Fore Play, Karain said the jeering from the gallery had been taken "too far".
"As a caddy, one of your jobs is to protect your player," the statement read.
"We have been known for having fun with some good banter, but after hearing several fans in Australia for 3 days some had taken it too far. I had had enough.
"Riding on the cart, guy was about 3 feet from Patrick and said, "you f***ing suck.". I got off the cart and shoved him, said a couple things, probably a few expletives."
"I don't think there's one caddy I know that could blame me.
"The most harm done was a little spilled beer, which I'm more than happy to reimburse him for."
Official statement to Fore Play from Patrick Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, on #PresidentsCup altercation with fan: pic.twitter.com/ZQXT0NxhJ7
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) December 14, 2019
The criticism of Reed, amid accusations that he cheated in last week's Hero World Challenge had dominated the build-up to the historic team event between the United States and Internationals.
It included Aussie golfer Cameron Smith admitting his relationship with Reed was over, after the Queenslander led the "cheating" allegations against his American counterpart.
Carrying a lead heading into Saturday's play, the Internationals continued their domination in the event, with two comprehensive wins in the third round of four-balls.
